Thomas S. Knight Jr., 83; Founder of Medical Relief Agency Orbis International

Thomas S. Knight Jr., the co-founder of the medical relief agency Orbis International, died at his Greenwich, home Sunday morning shortly after midnight.

He was born in Rochester, NY on May 9, 1930.

He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1948 and went on to Princeton University graduating in 1952. Shortly thereafter he travelled to Europe where he met his future wife of 48 years, Kathleen Craig, while they waited together in line to collect mail at the American Express office in Paris. He served his country in Korea during the War as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army with the 555th Field Artillery Battalion.

Upon his return from active duty he began a career in advertising with Young & Rubicam in New York, where he was as an account executive for more than 20 years ultimately retiring from advertising with the firm E. B. Wilson.

In addition he was a board member of PNC New England Bank. An avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer, Mr. Knight pursued those hobbies throughout his life and was Director of the Round Hill Club in Greenwich. Mr. Knight dedicated his time to several charitable organizations including St. James Church in Manhattan where he served on the vestry and became president of the Rector's Council, the United Way of Greenwich, and the YMCA of Greenwich.

But his greatest philanthropic passion was Orbis International which he founded with his friend, Dr. David Paton. From its humble origins in a few spare offices in Young & Rubicam's Madison Avenue headquarters, Orbis has gone on to provide ophthalmological training to 325,000 medical professionals in 92 countries and saved the vision of 25 million people around the globe.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Knight is survived by his four sons, T. Spencer Knight III, George C. Knight, James E. Knight, and Peter A. Knight as well as their wives Patricia, Meghan, Alison and Samantha, along with his 12 grandchildren.

Friends and family may call on Thursday, May 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch St. Greenwich. The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Parish, 469 North St., Greenwich.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to Orbis International at www.orbis.org. If you wish to leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com