Jay McKnight’s recent death was a loss for all of Red Hook. Relativity few people in the community knew of Jay as a highly talented musician whose incredible career spanned over half a century. His vocal talents enhanced the creations of The Dubs and other popular groups. Some of his works are preserved in the Library of Congress.
This is primarily because Jay was never one to brag about his achievements.
The same was true of his decades of living in Red Hook, along with his wife of 63 years, Andrea. They constantly struggled to make it a better place for everybody.
Just some of his efforts included personally collecting close to 3,000 petition signatures which resulted in the first bank to ever be opened in Red Hook. He founded the first chapter of the Lions International in Red Hook.
Along with its members, Jay, provided gifts for the community’s children every Christmas for decades. He worked for years as co-chair of the Red Hook Civic Association to improve the community.
Among his efforts were:
- Closing numerous private, polluting garbage-processing facilities.
- Successfully preventing then Mayor Giuliani from having all of New York City’s garbage sent through Red Hook.
- Preventing the Federal Environmental Protection Agency from processing toxic waste from the Gowanus Canal in Red Hook next to the ballfields.
- Successfully fighting for funding for Coffey Park and Louis Valentino Park and Pier.
- Getting the MTA to provide marginally better bus service to Red Hook via the B61.
- Successfully supporting the creation of the Cruise Ship Terminaland ferry service to Manhattan and Governor’s Island.
In all of these efforts and more, I, as the other Red Hook Civic Association co-chair could never have had a better partner.
But I believe that Jay’s best contribution was to build strong bridges to people regardless of race or residence.
I will miss him.
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Well penned John, it’s a shame that many of us who have been in the Red Hook community —especially those of us far removed from The Houses— have never heard of Jay, neither of his accomplishments and civic good deeds. I suppose that reflects on Jay’s humility, doing the deeds and shying away from the spotlight. His example is (and his life was) motivational, thanks for sharing.