IRVINGTON—Captain Peter Granville Knight, 86, of Irvington, beloved husband of Cynthia Jeanne Johnson, died February 6, 2026. Captain Knight was a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam conflict and received several medals including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.
When Captain Knight’s tour of duty was over, he began his civilian career as a commercial airline pilot, first flying for Northeast Airlines. After a lay-off due to airline shrinkage, he was back in the air, this time with Trans Caribbean Airways, until American Airlines bought them out. He was hired with the understanding that as the airline grew, he would advance in rank. Over the next 30 years he progressed to captain. When he hit mandatory retirement at 60, he was flying the Airbus 300.
An avid and competitive sailor, he was the winner of racing trophies too numerous to count. He was a past commodore of the Black Rock Yacht Club and a life member of the Fayerweather Yacht Club, both in Bridgeport, Conn Locally, he was a member and past commodore of the Rappahannock River Yacht Club.
Capt. Knight was also a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a member of the Sons of the Revolution, a life member of the Sons of the American Revolution and a life member of the Grey Eagles, an association of senior American Airlines pilots. He was also a member of the NNMOAA, a society of former military officers, as well as the Forward Air Controllers Association.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Holly Knight of Littleton, Colorado, his son, Geoffrey Knight of Raleigh, North Carolina; three grandchildren, Alex Schieferecke, Ethan and Arden Knight; and his sister, Sara Benedetto of Milford, Connecticut.
Interment for Pete will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a time to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of your choice.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
