Cornelius Knox, 92, Broadcasting Pioneer, Fitness Advocate

Cornelius Van Santvoord Knox, 92, formerly of Darien, passed away on July 8th in Shelburne, VT.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, August 23rd at the Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road in Darien.

Knox was born in Akron, Ohio, on October 9, 1920, the son of Cornelius Van Santvoord Knox, Sr. and Gladys Channell Knox. He graduated from The Hill School and Princeton University (’43). In 1943 he married Nancy Cronyn. He served in the U.S. Army as a general’s aide and forward observer for the field artillery during WWII.

Cornelius was better known by several nicknames, including Neil, Connie, Corny, Knox, Box, and Pete. He and his wife Nancy lived in Darien for nearly fifty years, most recently at Atria Darien.

He worked for 40 years in the broadcasting industry, first in the early days of TV at NBC, then for the CBS radio network, retiring as Vice President of Affiliate Relations in 1986.

He loved sailing, skiing, golf, tennis and bowling. He was a member of Noroton Yacht Club and of Silvermine Golf Club. A lifelong baseball fan, he also loved listening to music, especially jazz.

In later years, he became a passionate advocate and inspiring example of the importance of staying physically active in older age, and was one of the first national Champions designated by the International Council on Active Aging as a role model for its campaign “Changing the Way We Age.” He won the Darien Road Race prize for oldest participant twice in recent years, and bought a new pair of skis and a new bike at 91.

He spent leisure time for many years at a family home in West Halifax, VT. In recent years, when he wasn’t golfing, bowling or playing tennis with his friends, he loved to walk in Selleck’s Woods.

In 2011, he moved to Wake Robin in Shelburne, VT to be near his daughter Nancy and her family.

Cornelius is survived by his four children: Wendy Knox Bulkowski (John Bulkowski) of Newark DE; Holly Knox (Bruce Adkins) of Charlotte NC, Scott Knox (fiancée Tinalyn Caisse) of Franconia NH and Nancy Knox (Thomas Porter) of Burlington VT, and by his sister Eleanor C. Knox of Hingham MA. Survivors also include 6 grandchildren: Brian Bulkowski, Julia Wilkowski (Shannon Wilkowski), Jennifer Knox Hastings (Nate Hastings), Wyatt Knox, David and Ian Porter, great-granddaughter Caroline Zella Wilkowski and a nephew, John Parrott.  He is also survived by step-grandson Rob Adkins (Saymai Adkins) and step-great-grandson Joshua Adkins. His wife of 67 years, Nancy Cronyn Knox, passed away in 2010.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to: Friends of Selleck’s Woods ℅ Chris Filmer, 10 Harriett Ln., Darien CT 06820 or online at www.selleckswoods.com or The First Tee of CT, 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 or online at www.thefirstteeconnecticut.org