W. Vance Kniffin

Loved and respected, prominent New York banker, son of William Henry Kniffin and Gertrude Muriel Kniffin passed away June 18, 2010 at the age of 89. His wife, Evelyn Carol predeceased his death on March 16, 1996. He is survived by his two sons W. Vance Jr., Charles E., daughter Sandra C. and three grandsons, W. Travis Kniffin and Alexander A. and Cole V. Leonida.

Vance was born October 10, 1920 in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York. He attended Southside High School and was a band member until his graduation in 1937. As a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity he graduated from Rutgers University in Brunswick, New Jersey with a B.S. in business administration in 1941. While attending college, he enjoyed spending weekends with his fraternity brothers at his father’s vacation home in Woodstock, New York where he met his wife Evelyn. Upon his graduation from college he was employed by the Chemical Bank and Trust Company of New York and served as director of the Bank of Rockville Centre on Long Island.

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1942. He was promoted to Lieutenant and was the commanding officer of a submarine chaser while serving in the Philippines during WW II.

He was a very avid outdoorsman and enjoyed playing golf, fishing, hunting, and skiing at the family vacation home in Monterey, Massachusetts.

He was a very charitable individual and served as the treasurer of the Nassau County Long Island Boy Scouts of America. For his distinguished service to boyhood with the Boy Scouts, he was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver award in 1966.

He had a very successful career as Vice President of Chemical Bank and Trust until his retirement in 1973 when he moved to Perry Park in Larkspur, Colorado where he continued his love of the outdoors, especially golf. He will dearly be remembered as a warm, kind and giving individual by his beloved family and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 204B, Denver, CO 80222.

A Memorial Service for Willliam Vance Kniffin will be held on Thursday, June 24, at 11:00 a.m., at the Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Funeral Home, 407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, CO.