Brian T. Knapp, Sharon, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday, August 12, 2012, in his home. He was 46.

Mr. Knapp was born January 8, 1966, in Sharon, a son of George and Genevieve "Ginger" Turzak Knapp.

He attended the former Notre Dame Parochial Grade School, Hermitage, for eight years; was a 1984 graduate of Sharon High School where he holds the 200 meter freestyle relay record; and he attended West Chester (PA) University.

Brian was employed as a lab technician for the past fifteen years at Nova Chemical, Monaca, PA. He previously worked at Vesuvius Chemical, Pittsburgh; Cyprus Foote Mineral, Exton, PA; and, years earlier, was a lifeguard at the West Middlesex and the former Sharon Country Club swimming pools.

Brian was a member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon, and a former member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage.

He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State football teams and enjoyed swimming, reading, baking, a good scotch and playing cards, particularly poker.

Many will remember Brian as a genuine person and all around nice guy. Brian was reliable and hardworking, however, above all, he was known by his family as a wonderful husband and dedicated father. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are: his loving wife at home, the former Tina M. Zorzi, whom he married July 1, 1989 in Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon; two beautiful daughters whom he loved dearly, Paige V. Knapp, a senior at Sharon High School; and Ashley R. Knapp, a seventh grader at Sharon Middle High School; his mother, Ginger Marsteller, Sharon; two sisters, Dione Knapp and her fianc, John Mizzer, both Newark, Delaware; and Stacie Granger and her husband Matthew and their daughter, Katherine, all Erie, PA; and his father- and mother-in law, Tom and Mary Ann Zorzi, Hermitage. He also leaves a brother- and sister-in-law, Tom and Sally Zorzi, and their children, Tom and Alyssa, all Struthers, Ohio; a cousin, Tim Gilliland and his wife Melissa and their daughter, Kaitlyn, all Hermitage; and an aunt and uncle, Lois and Jack Roberts, Sharon. Brian was a loving Godfather to Tom Zorzi, Kaitlyn Gilliland and Katherine Granger. Brian also leaves behind many dear friends that he loved.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Knapp.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to an educational fund which has been established at First National Bank. Contributions can be made at any First National Bank branch to the account of Tina Knapp Donation Fund or to the funeral home.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 17, 2012, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 18, 2012, in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Joseph Campbell, parochial vicar, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.