Heading:  Bernard A. Knott SMSGT (Ret), USAF Bernard A. Knott, 89, of Roy Ave., Westbrook, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 03, 2013 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with his family by his side. He was born in Brown's Valley, KY the son of Hilary and Joanna Mae (Elder) Knott.  Bernard was raised in Owensboro, KY, graduating from St. Joseph's Academy in 1942.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Force and proudly served his country for 26 years, retiring in March 1969 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. Bernard met his wife, Marie Labrecque, also in the USAF, in 1945 while they were both stationed in LaGuardia, NY.  They married the following year and raised a family of nine children as Bernard was assigned to his many military tours, including Newfoundland; Wiesbaden, Germany; Springfield, MA; Providence, RI; Burlington, VT; Montgomery, AL; and Honolulu, HI.  His last active duty assignment was Base Sergeant Major, at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Oscoda, MI. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Bernard worked for sixteen years in the Payroll and Accounting Department of S. D. Warren where he made many friends and was known for his ability to remember payroll numbers for everyone who came to the payroll shack on payday. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, the VFW Post 832, and the American Legion Post 62. Bernard's greatest joys in life centered around his family.  He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends.  Many family members marveled at his skill with a ping pong paddle; no one in the family could successfully challenge him.  He loved bowling with his wife and dancing with her to big band music.  His family life was rich. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by three sisters and four brothers. Bernard is survived by his wife of 67 years Marie (Labrecque) Knott of Westbrook; sons Bernard Jr. and his wife Donna of Gorham, Hilary and his wife Gabrielle Lovi of Windham, and Brian of Westbrook; daughters Barbara and her husband John Heath of Falmouth, Maureen and her husband Bruce LeBeau of Westbrook, Joanna and her husband Paul Francoeur of Westbrook, Brenda Slivinsky of Westbrook, Sharon of Apex, NC, and Deborah and her husband Michael O'Brion of Portland; 26 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 PM Friday at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Saturday at St. Anthony's Church.  Interment will be held at 12 Noon on July 17 at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.  On line condolences may be expressed at www.blaisandhayfuneralhome.com. Those wishing to remember Bernard in a special way may send memorial donations to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Rd., Scarborough, ME 04074 or to the St. Anthony's Building Fund, 268 Brown St., Westbrook, ME 04092.