IN MEMORIAM:  Paul Knapp, 81, Pink Street;

Rail Executive Operated Beefees Restaurant

COOPERSTOWN – Paul Knapp Jr., 81, of Pink Street, a transportation executive who owned and operated Beefees Restaurant after moving to Cooperstown in 1978, died Friday at Bassett Hospital.

Born Nov. 25, 1932, in Passaic, N.J., Paul was the son of Paul and Marie (Nolan) Knapp.  He enlisted in the Navy and served in 1952-54 during the Korean War.   He then attended Fairleigh Dickinson University on the G.I. Bill. He married his life-long love, Lucille “Lucy” Zoller on Nov. 5, 1955.

After his military service, he was appointed assistant to the director of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad’s “Piggyback Division” in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was involved in the early development of the now common practice of carrying truck and shipping containers on flatbed railroad cars, “piggybacking.”

Later, and for more than 20 years, he was vice president of operations for RT Systems, the large trucking and transportation firm in New York City.

Moving to Cooperstown in 1978, the Knapps owned and operated Beefees Restaurant, across the street from the Baseball Hall of Fame.  For six years, Paul was the first manager of the village trolley system.   Most recently, he was an attendant at the Cooperstown Dreams Park during summers.

Paul’s enjoyed current events and watching football, particularly appreciating the talents of Peyton and Eli Manning.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy;  his daughter, Christine Knapp of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and his  sons, Paul Knapp III of Cooperstown,   John Knapp (Jane Bachanas) of Exeter;  and David Knapp (Barbara) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  Also, eight grandchildren, Olivia, Ashley, George, Nicholas, Kristen, Paul IV, Ava and Noah, as well as by three great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Alex and Ramona.  He was predeceased by his brother Thomas.

Private funeral and committal services will be conducted by Rev. John P. Rosson, pastor of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church.  Friends are welcome at a celebration of Paul’s life 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Toscana’s.

Memorial donations may be made to either the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or to the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, Cooperstown, NY, 13326.

Arrangements are entrusted to Tillapaugh Funeral Service.