Obituary of Thomas Walter Knemoller

Thomas W. Knemoller, 83 Thomas W. Knemoller passed away on Monday, February 17 at St Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, VA. Tom was born in New Brunswick NJ, and spent his childhood growing up in Dunellen and South Bound Brook. He is a graduate of Bound Brook High School, class of 1955. At school, he could always be found in the shop classes where he excelled in pretty much any craft you could do with your hands, woodworking being his favorite. He had an uncanny memory and was a self-taught historian and environmentalist. As a child, he developed a deep and life long passion for fishing which he passed on to his son and grandsons. As a young man, he was frequently found at the local roller-skating rink, where he met his future wife, Sheila. In 1957, Tom was off to serve his country in the US Army, where he was stationed primarily in Baumholder Germany. Upon his return, he met Sheila and they married in 1961. After briefly living in Dunellen, the young couple moved to South Plainfield in 1963, where they raised their two children, Linda and Jeff. Tom remained in this very same house for 55 years before moving in with his daughter in Goochland, VA in 2018. The good times, fun, and memories shared on Jerome Ave. are far too many to list, but for those of us who were there, we will never forget. Tom was employed by Public Service Electric and Gas for over 30 years, retiring in 1998 as a maintenance and environmental supervisor in their New Brunswick and Elizabeth locations. His favorite job was the one he held after officially retiring, which was full time chauffer, entertainer, activities director and pretty much do whatever they could dream up baby sitter for his grandkids, Meghan and Connor. He quickly became the favorite pop pop amongst the moms (he was the only one there) on the playground at Roosevelt School. Always devoted to his family, Tom was also devoted to the community of South Plainfield, particularly it’s youth. For many years, Tom was a leader with Boy Scout Troop 309, where he helped his son and many others achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He continued his commitment to scouting when his grandson joined cub scouts where he shared his love of fishing with the boys. He was a little league coach and member of the Y Indian Guides with his son. He spent countless hours volunteering with his daughter’s girl scout troop, and later his granddaughter’s troop. He was active with the South Plainfield Music Boosters, serving as its treasurer for many years, he was also the head whiskey sour maker at all of the adult parties, a job he was particularly proud of. He was responsible for helping to bring the marching band on their first international trip to Ireland, as well as starting the South Plainfield Marching Band festival, which is still held today. Tom was a founding member and builder of a Hunt and Fish Club located in Tannersville, NY. In his later years, Tom enjoyed traveling around the country always with his fishing pole, and his best fishing buddy, Connor by his side. He was a huge Rutgers University football fan and a season ticket holder for many years, remaining faithful through the good and the bad years. Tom was predeceased by his wife, Shelia Knemoller, parents Richard and Lillian, his brothers Augustus, Henry and Richard, and his sisters Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Lillian. He is survived by his daughter, Linda M. Skelly of Goochland, VA; his son and daughter in law, Dr. Jeffrey T. and Maria Knemoller, and three grandchildren , Meghan, Connor and Jeffrey. Funeral services will be held on Saturday. February 29, 2020 at 10AM in the South Plainfield Funeral Home, 2456 Plainfield Avenue South Plainfield NJ 07080. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Family and friends may gather in the funeral home on Friday from 7-9PM. A gathering in his honor will be held in Goochland, VA. on March 8 at his daughter’s house, details to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Ridge and Valley Trout Unlimited, 129 Philhower Ave., Califon NJ, 07830.