John Joseph Bulbulian Knight (2/28/29 – 6/17/2012) was born In Boston, Mass., to Armenian immigrant parents, Rose and Joseph Bulbulian, who fled the Armenian genocide for life in America. After a serious illness struck John’s mother, his parents were no longer able to provide for John and his two sisters. They were placed in the foster care system, separating them from their loving parents and each other for the rest of their youth.
John overcame his challenging childhood, including a year of treatment in a sanatorium for tuberculosis peritonitis, considered a miraculous recovery, to begin his pursuit of the “American dream”. His journey began as a young adult, when he entered the US Army. John proudly served his country in the medical unit during the Korean Conflict receiving several medals of distinction. Upon his honorable discharge from the US Army and influenced by his medical experiences during the war, John pursued a physical therapy degree at Boston University.
During his time at BU, John married, started a family of two sons and a daughter, taking multiple jobs to provide, and excelling in sales. While selling for the Fuller Brush Company, John soon found himself on their corporate fast track. His early success inspired John to alter his path to one of entrepreneurship. He founded the first of several medical product manufacturing and sales enterprises. John considered the pinnacle of his business success to be the founder of Knight Medical Electronics, Inc (KMI), Cambridge, Mass., which manufactured internal feeding pumps. KMI was a thriving fast-paced high growth organization of employee profit sharing, and it spawned several innovative products, like blow-fill-seal bottles, Nutrition formula, and others. KMI produced a full-color hospital informational magazine distributed in NE and distributed product nationally. Elan Corporation, plc. Dublin, Ireland, purchased KMI in 1989. A few years prior to selling KMI, John suddenly lost his middle son, John L Lewis, his groomed successor, which was a severe blow to his family, company employees and friends. Yet, John’s faith, resilience and belief in his KMI team enabled him to lead on.
After selling the company and planning to live semi-retired, John’s path was again altered. He remarried and expanded his family with two additional sons. Always the achiever, John, and his wife, with prior NYC investors, purchased three turnaround medical-related business ventures in N.J., Ga., and Ala., which he enjoyed growing until his health declined. EnviroPouch has been led by his spouse since 2001, leaving a loving legacy for his family.
Consistent in John’s life was his determination to love others. He considered his greatest achievement to be his love and devotion to his family and faith.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Flury Knight of Peachtree City; son Paul D. (2010 Grammy nominee) and wife Colleen Knight, Point Reyes, Calif., and children Hailey & Colllin, daughter, Elizabeth Hope Abady (husband David) of Miami, Fla.; and sons, Spencer and Emory Knight, Peachtree City, Ga.; grandchildren, Amanda, Lauren and Joseph Abady, Miami, Fla., and niece, Maureen Curreri, Boston and her son, Mikel and wife Meredith Curreri, N.Y.C.
John was predeceased by his parents Rose and Joseph Bulbulian, his sisters Virginia and Alice, and his son, John Lewis Knight.
Services were held in Peachtree City, Ga., Mowell’s Funeral Home, Wed., June 20, visitation 4-6 p.m., service 6 p.m., reception afterwards. And in Newton, Mass., services were on Friday, June 22, 10:30 a.m., Newton Cemetery Chapel (coordinated with Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home), interment, and reception afterwards.
Special thank you’s to all the loving caregivers associated with four assisted living and nursing homes, three hospitals, and Doctor’s Hospice, to whom we are forever grateful.
Memorial funds in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Armenian Church of Atlanta.
