Warm-Minded Remembrances of Joseph Valentine Knipfing Jr.: Family, Footprints, and a Small-World Legacy

Basic Information

A Life in the Quiet Lanes — Early Notes and Family Roots

I like to think of Joseph Valentine Knipfing Jr. as the kind of character who belongs in a black-and-white family portrait that somehow hums with color. Born August 4, 1930, he carried a name that reads like a movie credit—“Valentine” standing center stage—and he lived a life that threaded through small-town civic life and the more private rhythms of family. He and Janet built a household that would later be the launchpad for kids who took the stage—literally—yet Joseph’s own stage was the neighborhood: an insurance agency, community groups, church societies, ways of being steady and visible without needing the spotlight.

A few numbers anchor the story: about 45 years of marriage to Janet, more than 30 years running an insurance business — those are the sort of figures that tell you this was a life measured in steady commitments rather than fireworks. I imagine him greeting customers by name, clipboard under arm, a little stubborn about doing things the right way—an archetype of mid-century, practical optimism.

Career, Civic Life, and the Insurance Ledger

Joseph’s public life reads like a ledger of service: proprietor of an insurance agency for decades, active in local chambers and societies, and known as a civic presence in Long Island and later in California. It’s the kind of career that doesn’t make headlines but keeps the town running—insurance policies, business networks, and a reputation for reliability.

To the numbers-first thinker: 30+ years in business suggests a career that likely began in mid-life and continued into retirement; married roughly 45 years indicates a family foundation steady enough to support three children who would find their own creative paths. Those facts—two neat columns in a personal spreadsheet—signal continuity, local influence, and the kind of lived expertise that comes from decades of small-business ownership.

The Children: From Main Street to Mainstream

You can’t tell Joseph’s story without telling the story of his children, who became public figures in their own right. Gary Joseph Knipfing, who uses the stage name Gary Valentine; Kevin George Knipfing, better known to millions as Kevin James; and Leslie Knipfing—siblings who share the same roots but marched into different lights.

Here’s a short table that maps names to the world they entered:

Kevin’s rise to wide recognition—think sitcom fame and character roles that populate pop-culture memory—creates an interesting counterpoint to Joseph’s quieter public role. It’s almost cinematic: Dad tends the shop, kids take the stage—like a family version of a classic feel-good movie where the underappreciated hometown figure is the secret engine behind future stars.

Grandchildren, Middle Names, and Family Echoes

I’m fascinated by how names travel through generations, and with Joseph the middle name “Valentine” becomes an echo. Grandchildren such as Sienna-Marie (2005), Shea Joelle (2007), Kannon Valentine (April 24, 2011), and Sistine Sabella (2015) carry threads of the family identity forward. Kannon’s middle name—Valentine—reads like tribute, a quiet, familial mnemonic. Those dates—2005, 2007, 2011, 2015—are small timestamps of the family continuing, expanding, and refracting public attention in softer, more private ways.

Net Worth, Privacy, and What Isn’t on the Ledger

Here’s where I lean in as a storyteller and keep my voice brief: there’s no public, reliable figure that nails down Joseph’s net worth. He was a small-business owner, and while that implies assets and stability, the precise financial details aren’t part of the public ledger. In an era when celebrity family trees get inspected for every dollar, Joseph’s story remains more human than fiscal—measured in marriages, years, and the people who remember him.

Public Mentions and the Internet Echo Chamber

Joseph’s public footprint exists largely through obituaries and the many family bios that reference him—reposts, memorial pages, and genealogical notes. Social media and fan chatter pick up his name mainly in service of talking about Kevin James and Gary Valentine—he’s the trunk to branches that have grown into showbiz. For someone who passed in 2006, the mentions are sporadic but affectionate—a kind of online afterlife that remembers him mostly in relation to family.

Scenes I Keep Returning To

If I close my eyes, I see three moments: a busy small agency office with papers stacked like loyal soldiers; a living room where a young Kevin and Gary might have practiced jokes for an audience of two parents; and an older Joseph, perhaps at church or a civic meeting, smiling with the wry approval of someone who’s watched his children find their own sunlight. Those are cinematic images, yes—metaphors that dramatize daily life—but they’re also true to how ordinary lives can feel epic when you’re the one doing the remembering.

FAQ

When was Joseph Valentine Knipfing Jr. born and when did he die?

Joseph was born on August 4, 1930, and he died on January 30, 2006.

Who was Joseph married to and for how long?

He was married to Janet Knipfing — their marriage lasted roughly 45 years.

What did Joseph do for a living?

He owned and operated an insurance agency for more than 30 years and was active in local civic groups.

Who are Joseph’s children and what are they known for?

His children include Gary Joseph Knipfing (Gary Valentine), Kevin George Knipfing (Kevin James), and Leslie Knipfing; Gary and Kevin pursued careers in comedy and acting.

Are there notable grandchildren?

Yes—examples include Sienna-Marie (2005), Shea Joelle (2007), Kannon Valentine (April 24, 2011), and Sistine Sabella (2015), among others.

Is Joseph’s net worth publicly known?

No—there is no reliable, public figure for Joseph’s net worth; his life is documented more in family and civic records than in financial disclosures.