Alfred Knappe passed away Friday, September 10, 2010 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. Born on August 28, 1933 in Hermannstadt, Sudetenland, he was the son of the late Rudolf and Anna Knappe. He was Chief Technician in the Chemical Engineering Department at UNB from 1966 until he retired in 1995 and a member of the NBCETT. He was a member of the Lake George Gun Club and Fredericton Photo Club. He played with the New Canadians Soccer Team in Fredericton from 1958-1960. He began coaching the UNB Fencing Club in 1966 and then became the first president of the New Brunswick Fencing Association in 1969. He was a participant in the 1971 and 1975 Canada Winter Games. During the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, he was an armourer for the Fencing event. He had remained an active member in NB Fencing, including coaching and overseeing the annual Alfred Knappe Team Fencing Competition. Alfred attended the Nashwaaksis Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Barbara, two sons Jeffrey (Quispamsis), Michael (California) and daughter Kelsie (Fredericton). He leaves behind ten grandchildren, Sarah and Charlotte (Jeffrey and Nancy), Sabrina, Michelle, Melodie and Seleste (Michael and Sophia) and Aaron, Meghan (Shaw), Kirsten and Kaitlin (Kelsie and Kevin Gorman). He also leaves behind one sister, Christa Pollak, Aunt Heidi (Franz) Strasse, two cousins Hildegard and Edeltraud, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his three brothers, Edmund (Germany), Rudolf (Fredericton Junction) and Josef (Germany).
Visitation will be at York Funeral Home, Tuesday, September 14, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. Funeral service will be held at Nashwaaksis Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 2:00pm with Rev. Paul Ross officiating. Pallbearers are Dale Lauder, Gary Barkhouse, Aaron Shaw, Manfred Knappe, Richard Knappe and Rick Gosselin. Donations can be made to the Nashwaaksis Baptist Church, Canadian Cancer Society or charity of donor's choice. Personal condolences may be made through www.yorkfh.com