Herbert Knowles

Herbert L. Knowles, 92, of Bristol, died Feb. 1, 2008, after a brief illness.
He was born in New Britain, the eldest child of John Knowles and Jennie (Swanson) Knowles. He played tenor sax and fronted a small band "Les Knowles," playing regularly at venues in the Springfield, Mass. area. For many years he and his brother, Kenneth Knowles, operated the Knowles Internal Grinding Co. on Willard Avenue in Kensington. He was a private pilot and stationed his Navion aircraft at Robertson Airport in Plainville.
He is survived by a sister, Gladys Gallicchio and brother-in-law, Dan Gallicchio, of Hobe Sound, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Shirley Knowles, of Melbourne, Fla.; a stepson, Robert Johnson; his grandsons, Brian and Bruce Johnson, of North Canaan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen (Storto) Knowles; his stepdaughter, Alice Johnson, of Bristol; his sister, Jeanette Oliver; and his brothers, Milton, Kenneth and Edwin Knowles.
The funeral was held Feb. 8 at O'Brien Funeral Home, Bristol. Burial followed at Peacedale Cemetery, Bristol. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.