Knight, Donald Stanley
Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, Don Knight, passed away peacefully at Chapman House on February 12, 2025 at the age of 82.
He is survived by his loving wife Mel (nee Umali), his children—Kelly Howell of Kingston; Barb (Dale) Kelsh of Milton; and Geoff (Robin) Knight of London and grandchildren – Matt Howell, Alicia Howell, Kelsie Howell, Justin Sauve, Josh Sauve, and Keifer Knight. Don is also survived by Great Grandchildren Keigan, Roland, and Nova.
Also survived by Mel’s family: sister Ophelia Carroll, sister Elsa (Jun) Figuracion, Brother Isagani (Lily) and sister Cleopatra.
Predeceased by wives Margaret Hill and Linda McHutchion.
He was born in Meaford, ON in 1942, the son of the late Ivan Knight and the late Viola Knight. Survived by sister Brenda (Tom predeceased) of Kingston and brother Dennis (Joanne) of Meaford and nephews and nieces Salinda (Neil) Hopkins, Chris Knight, James (Lindsay) Knight along with several grand nephews.
Don, after graduating from Meaford District High School, studied Economics at the University of Waterloo. While in High School, he worked weekends and holidays at the family hardwood flooring manufacturing firm, Stanley Knight Ltd. After brief stints at Waterloo Trust and Savings Co and Zellers, Don embarked on a career in insurance and financial planning. He was an insurance investigator with Retail Credit Co. an insurance adjuster and claims manager with Traveler’s Insurance, and ultimately, opened his own insurance brokerage in Milton, ON – Knight Insurance Brokers Ltd. When he sold his brokerage, he became a Financial Planner with Investors Group in Owen Sound. Along the way, he dabbled with an apiarist and operating a nut grove in Meaford.
Don had a lifelong service to his communities. He served as President of the Milton Optimist Club, President of the Milton Chamber of Commerce, President of Milton Minor Baseball, Member of the Meaford Planning Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Meaford General Hospital Board, Chairman of Grey Bruce Health Services Board, Member Owen Sound Planning & Heritage Committee, Member of the Board of Governors for Georgian College, and Chair of the Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation. He even tried out his acting chops with Owen Sound Little Theatre.
Don also served his communities as a councillor for the town of Milton from 1980 to 1985 and then served one term as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the riding of Halton Burlington where he served as Parliamentary Assistant to the chair of Management Board and Chair of the Select Committee on the Environment.
Don was passionate about nature and environment. He was a longtime member of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists. One of his biggest achievements was when he, his brother Dennis, and two friends completed an end to end walk of the Bruce Trail. For the past 7 years, Don has operated the website, Ontario Nature Trails.com, a website containing a data base of over 1,300 nature trails in Ontario.
Don & Mel have been long time adherents and faithful attendees of First United Church, Owen Sound and Don spent several years on Church Council.
Many thanks to Dr. Aboo and Oncology, Dr. Basik, Emergency, ICU, and Palliative Care departments staff for their care and guidance. As well, many thanks to Dr. Hodgson and Dr. Beverley Preater and the staff at Chapman House, to Rev Kristal McGee and Rev Kathy Underwood for the spiritual care, support and prayers in addition to the invaluable support and prayers from friends and relatives for giving Don the support and comfort he needed to get through his tough journey and the willingness to give help when needed.
Special thanks to our great neighbours; Bill and Ed for being there for Mel whenever she needed a ride to and from the hospital.
A service celebrating Don’s life will take place at First United Church, Owen Sound on March 8th at 11 a.m. A private interment at Lakeview Cemetery, Meaford will follow at a later date.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Grey Bruce Residential Hospice “Chapman House”, the Canadian Cancer Society, Meaford Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
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Donations: Grey Bruce Residential Hospice "Chapman House", the Canadian Cancer Society, Meaford Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice.Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Thursday, February 13, 2025
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I always enjoyed chatting with your Dad.
My thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends.
May he Rest in Peace.
Friday, February 14, 2025
We really appreciate your thoughts Lori, he always enjoyed time he spent with you.
Thank you
Friday, February 14, 2025
So sorry to hear of Dons passing. My condolences to Kelly, Barb, Geoff and family ❤️
Friday, February 14, 2025
Sorry for your family’s loss. All the best at this time. Brad & Linda Robinson.
Friday, February 14, 2025
We really appreciate your thoughts Lori, he always enjoyed time he spent with you.
Thank you
Friday, February 14, 2025
Brad and Linda
Thank you so much, for always being there for me and a strength through this journey, love you guys so much! And all of my family appreciates your thoughts! Xoxo
Friday, February 14, 2025
Sending my sincere condolences to Don’s family. I have good memories of Don when he served on the Board of Trustees of Meaford Public Library when I worked there. A true gentleman. May he rest in peace.
Marion Mower
Friday, February 14, 2025
Condolences from myself, and my wife, Medora. Who was almost like family to the night family. He will be missed dearly. Rest in peace Donald, Our visits with you will be cherished. Our condolences also go to your entire family., As they have lost a great member of that family.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
From the stories that you told me of Dad, Brenda, Medora, and yourself it was such a comfort to hear during this time! Our entire family appreciate you and Medora!
Friday, February 14, 2025
Thank you Doug, all three of us appreciate your condolences and your memories of our Dad
Saturday, February 15, 2025
To Mel, and Don’s family,
I’m saddened by Don’s passing, and I can appreciate how difficult the past years have been for you during this cancer journey. I got to know Don initially through his very generous support back in 2008, and through his extensive work with the Conservation Foundation. A wonderful man in so many ways, and he will be missed by all who shared in his endeavours.
Blessings to you and your family in the coming days and weeks.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Sincere condolences to all of Don’s family and friends. I first knew Don, when Geoff was playing saxophone with the Owen Sound City Band, and later re-connected with him through the Owen Sound Field Naturalists. An amazing legacy too. Fond memories I will cherish…
Sunday, February 16, 2025
My sincere condolences to Brenda, Dennis and Joanne and your families and all of Don’s family and friends. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. What a wonderful human being and great loss to our community. My heart goes out to Mel and extended family.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
We are deeply saddened by Don’s passing. He was a dedicated Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation volunteer whose thoughtful approach and love for nature and trails, left a lasting impact. His kindness and dedication inspired staff and fellow volunteers.
Rest in peace, Don. You will be dearly missed.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Our condolences to the Knight family. I didn’t know Don all that well, but I chummed with his brother Dennis a bit and I knew his Dad.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Dear Dennis, Joanne and Don’s family, Janice & I send our sincere condolences at the loss of your brother Don. I remember many good times spent at the Knight family home in Meaford and Don will be missed by all of his friends that grew up together.
Jim and Janice Shaw
Thursday, March 6, 2025
We met Don years ago through the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Foundation. We subsequently volunteered together for the Inglis Falls Arboretum. We shared a love and respect for nature and especially enjoyed planting trees. But our favorite conversations were in the stands at the ballpark where Don would be present supporting the local teams and watching good ball with his trained eye. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of this very exceptional and much-loved man.
Nan
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Dear Kelly, Barb, Geoff and families,
I was saddened when Mel emailed me to tell me that Don had died. Although Don, Linda and I had only stayed in sporadic touch after university days, we were back on track when Linda saw my note in the WLU Alumni News. I had a lovely visit from Don and Linda in about 2007 when I lived near Peggy’s Cove. I was so pleased when he found happiness again after Linda’s death. I had the pleasure of meeting Mel when I saw them in Owen Sound a few years ago. Don was a very interesting man, a wearer of many hats. He will be missed.
Each summer, when the CNE opens, I remember one of my first memories of Don and spending a delightful day at the CNE with Don and his two, lovely little girls. That memory will be even more meaningful this August.
My thoughts are with you,
Cilla
Halifax, Nova Scotia