John F. Knight

John F. Knight, 84, of Orleans (but more so Eastham) died on March 18, 2023 at Cape Cod Hospital with his loving wife and daughter by his side. John was born on December 20, 1938 in Plainfield, CT to the late Leroy Knight and Lillian (Gauthier) Knight. He attended Plainfield High School and Southern Connecticut State College where he received a B.S. in Education and met his “bride” Donna. Two years after the birth of their daughter, they moved to Eastham in 1969 to build their dream home. He became a second grade teacher at Eastham Elementary and progressed to teach a number of years at the Clinical Teaching Center, located at the Marconi site in South Wellfleet.

In the early 1970s, John incorporated cut glass into one of his woodworking projects and a new career was born. Teaming up with his artist wife, they opened The Glass Eye, stained glass studio and craft gallery, in North Eastham, spending 38 years crafting everything from stained glass ornaments and lamps to large scale commission works that she custom designed. Their beautiful work can be found across the Cape and beyond, including the Eastham Methodist Church, Eastham Police Station, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Harwich, the Cape Cod Covenant Church in Brewster, a series of Nauset Marsh panels at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, The Mews Restaurant, and more. Teaching his craft played a continuous role in his life, especially with his talented apprentice, Mark Ahrens, who became another member of the family.

John’s strong belief in public service led him to almost 30 years serving on numerous town committees and boards, including the Finance Committee, Personnel Board, Board of Health, and three terms as a Selectman. In addition he was part of the Society of Cape Cod Craftsmen, Artisans Guild of Cape Cod, and the Eastham Chamber of Commerce.

He embraced life on the Cape to the fullest—from taking his truck on the outer beach and fishing at Race Point and Nantucket, to shucking oysters, or quahogging in Salt Pond. He was renowned with friends and family for his blueberry pancakes, baked stuffed clams, and even more so for his storytelling.

John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Knight, daughter, Kristina Knight, her partner George Paxson, his cherished grandson, Matthew Knight, brother Robert Knight, and beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and wonderful friends. He is the brother of the late Eileen (Knight) Brodeur, Marge (Knight) Burton, and Richard Knight.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of John Knight's life at the Elks Lodge in Eastham on Saturday, June 3rd from 1-5pm. Donations in his memory may be made to the Cape Cod Tech Foundation, www.capecodtechfoundation.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonfunerals.com