It is with such profound sadness that we share with you the passing of our father, Stewart “Stubby” Knights on Wednesday March 18, 2015.
Over the past few weeks we have been pondering what measures a man’s life and what we will remember about our dad, and we’ve come to this:
Our dad was born on December 27, 1961 to his parents Donna (Rigby) and the late Bill “Stub” Knights who were the two people he admired most in his life. They not only gave him a sister to grow up with (Jane & John Pratt) but they gave him the tools that he would need to make it in life, taught him how to get back up if he fell down and taught him about hard work. Our dad got along with his dad so well that he quit school in 1978 to partner with him at Blenheim Abattoir and Meat Markets. Being in the cattle business brought him the opportunity to go show livestock at fairs…the most memorable time for him was when he met the Queen at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.
Our dad had a contagiously positive outlook…he lived life instead of letting it pass him by. He smiled and he laughed and he didn’t let the bad things get him down. He was all about kids, especially his three daughters Billy Jo & Chris Cunningham, Jessica & Matt Hall and Claire Knights. He was crazy about his grandchildren Jolee, Cameron and Emily and was looking forward to his fourth grandchild in just a few months. He helped coach minor league baseball when we were small and he was a sponsor of the Blenheim Open where he also helped to cook the steaks for the meal. His cooking abilities brought together a production company called “Bent Rim Productions” that participated in BBQ competitions across Ontario.
Our dad loved sports…he was a true fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the winter he spent countless hours on the ice playing for many local teams and in the summer he spent his time on baseball diamonds. He was the one who started the “case of beer strike out rule” just to keep things interesting and to motivate players. He had his own hockey card made up which maybe has been best shared only with the other guys of that same elite group. He also enjoyed spending summers on his boat “Stubs Tub” which docked in Erieau.
Finally our dad surrounded himself with friends…many good friends; some who remained close since their school days. Friends were so important to him…whether it was a beach party in the middle of winter where everybody wore beach attire, whether it was going to an AC/DC concert or whether it was just a quiet time watching his favourite movie “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, our dad was always up for a new and fun challenge with his friends. He will be missed.
Cremation has taken place. Friends and family are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home where visitation will take place on Friday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. Following that, and in keeping with our dad’s sense of adventure, we will celebrate his life at the Blenheim Memorial Arena on Saturday March 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. where his urn will be placed on center ice and his friends will sit in the bleachers!
If you wish to remember our dad with a memorial donation, we hope that you will consider All For Kids which will provide funding for boys and girls in the Blenheim and Ridgetown area who otherwise would not be able to play sports.
Billy Jo, Jessica and Claire
