Al Knaus passed away at his home July 26 after a brief illness at the age of 87.
Knaus and his wife, Jane, were long-time New Canaan residents. He had a 30-year career with New Canaan's public schools, according to the New Canaan Advertiser.
Knaus was born Aug. 1, 1925, in Montclair, N.J. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and served as a corporal in the Pacific Theater toward the end of World War II.
He attended Marietta College in Ohio, where as a fraternity president he met his wife, a sorority president. The two were married for 62 years before Jane died in 2011, according to the Advertiser.
Knaus also earned a master's degree in education at Harvard University before eventually moving to New Canaan in 1957 to teach social studies. He also was coordinator of the work-study program at New Canaan High School later on.
Knaus was active in the Democratic Party and was the head of the committee in the 1970s. After retirement, he and his wife became members of the U.N. Committee of New Canaan, according to the Advertiser.
Knaus is survived by his three children – Lucinda Knaus of Bearsville, N.Y., Albert Knaus III of New York City, N.Y., and David Knaus of Stamford – five grandchildren, and a sister, Janet Denison.
There will be a memorial service held at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan Sept. 14 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception.
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