The Reverend Harry L. Knisely (July 15, 1940 to April 19, 2025)

Rev. Harry L. Knisely passed away peacefully on the sacred day of the Holy Easter Vigil, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and love. A native of Everett, Bedford County, PA, Harry was a distinguished 1959 graduate of Mercersburg Academy.  His passion for education led him to earn a Bachelor's degree from Juniata College, followed by a Master's in Education from Shippensburg University, and a Master's in Divinity from Berkeley Theological Seminary at Yale University.

Ordained to the Episcopal Church in 1969, Rev. Knisely dedicated his life to ministering to congregations across the country. He served faithfully in parishes in Williamsport, PA; Bend, OR; Williamsville, NY; Oil City, PA; Burlington, IA; Newtown and Bridgeport, CT; Harrisburg, PA; and most recently, as an associate priest at St. John's in Carlisle.

Beyond his calling to the church, Harry was a devoted husband to his beloved wife of 57 years, Gail Knisely. He was a cherished father to his three children and a proud Poppi to his eight grandchildren, whose lives were undoubtedly enriched by his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support.

Father Harry, as most knew him, was a beloved member of every community he resided in, where it seemed as though he was friends with everyone in town.  He put great care and thought into each and every sermon, which his three children thought were often too long, but were always exceptional.  With his booming voice, he was not only the loudest singer in the church, but the loudest voice at every local sporting event, especially the ones his kids or grandkids were participants in.  He was their biggest fan and he made sure everyone knew it.  He loved talking to people.  If you were a total stranger who happened to sit next to or near him at a restaurant, baseball game, or anywhere else, there was a good chance he'd know your life story by the time you parted ways.  His family (especially his kids) worried that he was annoying the countless random people he struck up conversations with, but the truth is that never seemed to be the case.  They enjoyed the conversations as much or more than he did.  One of his strongest traits was his empathy, which came through in his life's work, where he spent most of his days pastoring the elderly, the sick, and the less fortunate.  He was kind, compassionate, and loving, and the world was a better place with him in it.

His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit and the love he shared will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Harry is survived by his wife Gail; children Sarah Merritt and her husband Jeff, grandson Ian of Carlisle, son Colin and spouse Maureen (Lee) and grandchildren Graham, Tess, Keira, and Colin of Haverford, PA, and son Tim and spouse Katie (Prem) and grandchildren Carter, Reese, and Madelyn of Buffalo, NY; sister Effie Howarth of Saylorsburg, PA, and his nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Harry L. Knisely, Sr. and Ada Mae (Lee) Knisely and two brothers, William (Bill) and Jackson (Jack).

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, Carlisle or Project Share of Carlisle.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1A N. Hanover Street, Carlisle.  www.EwingBrothers.com.