Eric P. Kleinknecht was known for his good nature and an easy smile in nearly every situation. He grew up in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, and loved all things New York. He spent countless hours fishing in the Long Island Sound, cheering on his beloved Jets through good and bad, skiing upstate, and watching nearly every Broadway show. But above all, Eric loved his family. He was a devoted son to Richard (deceased) and Suzanne Kleinknecht, brother to Drew (deceased), Lisa Canty, and Mark Kleinknecht, and uncle to his ten nieces and nephews. As an adult, nothing brought him more joy than spending time with Lisa and Paul’s children, Margret, Colbie, Tierney, Connor, and Teddy Canty, and Mark and Jessica’s children, Annabel, Gwynnie, Thomas, Drew, and Crosby Kleinknecht.

Eric graduated from Northwestern University and received a Masters in International Management  from the Thunderbird School of Management. He was an active member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) in Suffolk County and greatly valued the support and camaraderie of that community.

Visitation hours will be held at M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station, New York, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. The memorial service will be on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. A lunch will follow at the Huntington Country Club. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org/