Alexis Knight, 91

Alexis Knight, age 91, of Moultonborough, died on Dec. 21, 2023, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

He was born in Darby, Pennsylvania, to Dorothy (Gross) and Winfield Knight. He moved throughout his early years, finally landing in Rockport, Maine, for his high school years. He then joined the U.S. Air Force where he became a helicopter pilot during the Korean War. While home on leave he was introduced to his future wife, Connie, who was a school teacher in Rockport. After they were married, they spent their honeymoon fishing, having traveled in Alexis’ Model T affectionately known as The Yellow Peril that he recovered from a farmer’s field and repaired.

Alexis went on to college on the GI Bill obtaining a bachelor of science degree at University of Maine at Orono. He joined the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, subsequently moving his family eight times throughout the eastern United States. While in Elkins, West Virginia, he met Bill Spaulding, also working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Bill and Judy and their three children became lifelong friends with many “biologists’ children” ensuing adventures. Alexis and his family would finally settle in Moultonborough.

He was a self-taught mechanic, carpenter, electrical wizard and handyman. At the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service he would develop radio telemetry tags to track fish populations and consulted overseas. He was a leader in Atlantic salmon restoration in the United States and Canada. After he retired from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, he was a fisheries consultant until the mid 1990s. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was the inspiration for a series of books for young adults about a teen woodsman and guide in Maine. He instilled the love of the outdoors in his children: hunting, fishing, bird watching, cross country skiing, canoeing and ice fishing.

While he and Connie raised German shorthair pointers and miniature beagles, the household menagerie included snakes, flying squirrels, wild rabbits, an inherited parakeet, chickens and an adopted stray cat. Later in life there was series of golden retrievers sharing his life. While in Cortland, New York, he and Connie were active in bluebird conservation. He was a member of the Winnipesaukee Sportsmen's Club and taught hunter safety education. He also served on the Moultonborough Conservation Commission drafting a management plan for the Kona Wildlife Management Area. He was a member of the Rockport Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.

Alexis was predeceased by his wife Connie after 52 years of marriage. He was lovingly cared for by his son, David, for the last 15 years. He is survived by his children Bill (Laura) of Meriden, Susan (Eduardo Ramirez) of Fresno, California, Carol (Bart Beck) of Chester, Vermont, David of Moultonborough, Robert (Ellen) of Moultonborough, Joanne (Terry) Donoghue of Meriden, and eight grandchildren.

There are no funeral services and his remains are being cremated and the ashes spread off the coast into the Atlantic Ocean.