1937 – 2016

OXFORD — Harold Keith Knightly of Oxford died at home on Sunday, Sept. 25, after a yearlong struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was 79.

He was born Sept. 19, 1937, in South Paris, the son of Ralph and Ada Knightly. He graduated from Paris High School in 1956 and married Margaret Twitchell on Sept. 17, 1960. Together they raised two children.

He started his work life on the farm of Harold Shaw and then worked for the Paris Farmers Union. Many know him from his many years at Twitchell Farm Equipment, where he filled many roles, from running the gas delivery route to parts manager. He also worked at Reid’s Service Center, George Hayes and Son Landscaping and was owner/operator of Oxford Power Equipment, where he continued his work of helping folks with their lawn and garden equipment needs.

In his retirement, he returned to the farm, working for Smedberg’s Crystal Spring Farm. His interest in bringing farm and garden machinery back to life was also seen in his hobby of restoring red tractors and classic cars and his participation in the Maine Antique Tractor Club. Over the years, he has been involved at Norway Baptist Church and South Paris Baptist Church, acting as trustee, treasurer and often on hand when building projects needed to be done.

Harold is survived by his wife, Margaret Knightly of Oxford; two sons, David and Cathy Knightly of Oxford, Jeffrey Knightly and Cynthia Cassel of Philadelphia; four grandchildren, James and Laura Knightly of Philadelphia, Elizabeth Edwards (formerly Knightly) and Jon Edwards of Lisbon Falls, Benji Knightly of Oxford and Sophia Knightly of Philadelphia.

He is predeceased by his father and mother, Ralph and Ada Knightly; his sister, Ruth Scribner; and his grandchild, Joseph Knightly.

We would like to thank the many people who have reached out with calls and offers of help over the last year. We would especially like to thank Deb, Brittany, Nikki, Doris, Esther and Fred from Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice who played a special part in our lives through this time.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.