Deacon Lionel Knight, 92, a retired deacon from St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica, died March 17 at Jamaica Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 22 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church.
Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto was the main celebrant. Father Thomas Pettei, pastor, preached the homily.
Deacon Knight was ordained to the diaconate on May 15, 1993 at the age of 71.
He was a public high school English teacher, with his last position being at Franklin K. Lane H.S., Cypress Hills.
Even before he became a deacon, he was a lector and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at the parish. He also served as a catechist in the parish’s religious education program until age 88.
He retired from the diaconate in 2011 but often still visited the sick and the parish’s homeless shelter.
“He’ll (Deacon Knight) be remembered as a real servant of people and parishioners, certainly with a joyful smile and someone who was always enthusiastic in serving the Lord,” said Father Pettei.
“He was really very energetic and very willing to serve. He was always willing to help others and visit the sick. He was very committed to his family, education and his community.”
He is survived by four children, Lionel Jr., Kevin, Renee and Alicia Knight-DeBrady.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside.