John Knights

A photo of John Knights

Service:

Morpeth Hall
Saturday December 21, 2024
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

John Knights of Mull (Blenheim) passed away on Tuesday December 17, 2024.  He walked this earth for 86 years…66 of them with his wife Sally by his side.  He was the proud father of Peter (Daphne), Jeffery (Tracey) and Kevin (Jennifer), grandfather of Matthew (Christine), Nicole (Brad) and Kerrigan (Gavin) and great-grandfather of Nolan and Nash.

John was one of four children born to the late Clarence & Eileen (Johnston) Knights and is survived by his sister Ann Morrison (Jack).  He was predeceased by his sister Mary Sutherland (Bill) and his brother Bill Knights (Donna).  His career was spent in the agriculture business, starting out on a farm raising sheep and finishing working with Lyle Giffin at Milling Products but his passion in life was hockey.  He was a founding member of the Morpeth Oldtimers Hockey Team and was a driving force in getting the team to the playoffs in both Holland and Switzerland.  In 1991 John was officially inducted as a player, manager and builder into the Canadien Oldtimers Hockey Hall of Fame.  He was also an avid Lions, Tigers and Maple Leafs fan.

One of John’s favourite places to visit was Mackinac Island, especially during the lilac festival in spring.  He and Sally made several trips there as a couple, as a family and with friends.

A Celebration of Life for John will be held at the Morpeth Hall on Saturday December 21, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  It will be a casual afternoon so come as you are.  If you have a favourite team jersey to wear, that’s even better!  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Blenheim Health Hub which John talked about often or the Alzheimer’s Society of Chatham-Kent that he accessed services through would be appreciated by the family.

Submit a Condolence

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Do you want this condolence to be private?

Condolences

Sooooo sorry to hear of Johns passing ,,,,, Take care ,,,,God bless !

Sally and Family. Please know we are thinking about you. Florence and family.

My most heartfelt sympathies to the families may he rest his waking shoes now I hold you in my thoughts and prayers at this time

Sally and family, My condolences. Take care, Donna Goodwin

Sally & family, Johnny was such a class act. I played a lot of hockey with him and against him. Either way was always great! Nothing but the utmost respect for him. I must also say that the two for you were a great team! You are deeply in our hearts at this time.

Pete and Daphne, and family. Very sorry to read of your father’s passing. Sending you my condolences. Laurie (Kirk) Harrison

Pete, Daphane and Family, We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. We remember him fondly from attending the boys minor hockey games and the tournaments. Our condolences.

To Pete and Daphne and the entire family, we are sending our heartfelt condolences on John's passing. We are thinking of all of you as you navigate through this loss. Sending hugs and love ❤️ 🤗 Darrell and Kathy xo

Please accept my condolences to the John's family. Harvey Handsor

Our Deepest Sympathies Sally & Knights Family

Sending our condolence to the family and friends. Thoughts and prayers to Peter and Daphne. Rest in Peace John Knights.

Peter and all the Knights families. So sorry for your loss. I was just a young lad when I went with my dad to visit with John when he worked out at the Milling Products, Tupperville location, then later in Chatham. He was for a long time, the only place my dad sold his grain to.

John and I lost many friends, and I would say sorry for your loss of your friend. John would say , yes but we have great stories. Thank you for the great stories John.

Sally, I'm so very sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a wonderful person and I will remember him fondly. Sending my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Sally. Peter. Jeff, Kevin and families, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. Sending my deepest sympathies to all of you.

Pete, Daphne and family Sincere condolences on the loss of Pete’s dad. May your memories give you strength and comfort in the coming days Lorie and Greg Gore.

Sally, Pete and Daphne, sorry to hear that John has passed. Sending our sincere condolences for your loss. John was a great guy and he will be missed, but I'm sure he is in some pretty good company now. Rest in peace John. Bill Bentley and Helen Van Dyke

So sorry for your loss my sympathy to the family.

Sending our deepest condolences to Sally and family. Linda and Gord

Sally & Family, Sending deepest condolences on the loss of John, he was a kind man. You are in our thoughts & prayers. John & Sonia Simpson

Extending our deepest sympathies to Pete and the entire Knights family. Andy & Tina

My deepest condolences to Sally and the Knights families.

RIP John. Thanks for all the fond hockey memories !! condolences to the Family

Offering our sincere condolences to the Knight families with John's passing. Sue and Henry Wiebenga

Sally, Peter, Jeff, Kevin and Knights family, Heartfelt condolences to you all in the passing of John. Cherish the many happy memories of John and may they bring comfort in the difficult days ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely Peter & Linda RIP. JOHN

Thinking of you Kevin, Jenn, Kerrigan and all of John’s family and friends at this sad time.

Sally & Family, So sorry to hear of John's passing , our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.

Sally, Kevin and Jennifer Our deepest condolences on the loss of your husband/father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Sending our thoughts and sympathies to you Sally and your family. The pictures we have seen tell a story of what a fun loving family man John was . Memories to be cherished. Warm wishes from Julie and Gil.

Kevin/Jenn and family-our deepest sympathies in the loss of John-you are in our thoughts and prayers-hugs to you all 🩷🩷

Sally so sorry to hear this news. Will give you a call later. May God give you the peace you and your family need at this time. Rosemarie

Peter and Daphne sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. My sincere condolences to the entire Knights family.

We used to rent office space from Lyle Giffin when he owned the former Richardson Securities building on Wellington St., in Chatham. John was Lyle's building manager. Anytime we had a building issue, John was right on it and got the issue resolved. He was soft-spoken, but had a great sense of humor, and was extremely efficient. Rest in peace, John.

Sally & family. Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Was always interesting to be in his presence. John always had a smile on his face & was thinking whom he was going to be his next prank. Hold all of your fond memories close to your heart. R.I.P. John.

To Sally, Peter, Jeff and Kevin: We are very sorry and saddened to hear of John's passing. He was a superb hockey player and knew the game well. We would like to extend our condolences and our thoughts and prayers are extended to the Knights' family. LES and STEVE GOFF

Sally and family, May your memories help you through this difficult time. RIP John.

My condolences Sally and family, I have never forgotten the day I called John to see if he would be pallbearer for my dad. He responded that Everritt had carried him once so he would be glad to carry him. Dad worked on the Knight farm and found 4-year-old John, floating in the water tank, in the barn. He threw him over his shoulder and ran for the house. Apparently, with the movement and positioning, John was found sputtering when they reached the house. John wrote my mom the most heartfelt note after dad died telling her how much he appreciated dad's kindness when he started farming. Over the years, I have often thought of our neighbours up the road because Sally Knights' Banana Bread Recipe is the best! I am certain your family will find comfort as you gather to share your own special memories of John, your husband, dad and grandfather. Sincerely, Helen (Gow) Meneray

Sally and family, so sorry to hear of John's passing, our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. RIP John. Sincerely, Pat & Barry

My sincere condolences to Sally and the Knights family 🙏🙏

Sally & families … So very sorry to hear of Johns passing . Praying the wonderful memories will bring you some peace during this sad time. RIP John and let perpetual light shine upon you !!

Sally and family, Many great times shared with John and you, as we travelled through our lives. May the peace that comes from your memories of love shared, comfort you.

Sincerest condolences to the family.

Sally , Peter & family , Jeffery & family , Kevin & family , Sorry to hear of John passing . Thinking of you all .

Sally and family our thoughts and hugs go out to you all, he was and always will be a gentle soul, hugs

My deepest condolences to Sally and the Knights families. 💕

My sincere condolences. May John rest in peace.

Our condolences to your family at this time of loss of John. He will be remembered fondly .

Sending our condolences to all of you with John's passing. Our thoughs are with you.

So sorry for your loss.

Condolences to Sally and the Knights Family on John's passing. On behalf of the Hoffman Family, John was a good neighbour all those years ago on the farm and I will miss seeing him and chatting when we would meet up on our morning walks!

Sorry to hear about Johns passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Knights family.

Our deepest condolences with the loss of your father.

Dear Sally and Family My heartfelt sympathies to you Sally and all your family members. May you find a sense of comfort and calm now that John is at peace. John leaves the gift of wonderful , warm, happy memories for all to recall always. Carol

So very sorry for your loss.

Sally: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. John and Ken can talk about farming. Thinking of you, Joyce and Bill

Sally and family. So sorry to read of John's passing.. our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Condlences to the Knights family. John was a great man to talk to at any venue you would find him. He will be missed Rest in Peace John !!!!!

Sally & family. Our sincere condolences.

A life well lived! John Knights a hockey legend, community supporter and family man. Our sincerest condolences to the Knights and Baily families and many many friends.

Sending my sincere condolences to the Knights family. I have many fond memories of time spent with John and the whole family. I think of him on my birthday as we shared the same day. He was a great man and will be missed.

Our sincere condolences to Sally and the entire Knights family on the passing of John. He was a true gentleman who valued family. He was always kind to us and we held deep respect for him. He will be missed .

Sincere condolences Sally and family for your loss of John. May your many special memories help you through this difficult time. Bob and Debbie Brodie

Sending condolences and prayers to all of you...cherish all the special memories of times spent together.

Knights family. Manon and I are so sad to hear about the passing of John. You have our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Knights family.

My sincere condolences to Sally & the Knights Family. Rest in peace John.

Condolences to the Knights family. You're in our thoughts during this difficult time.

We extend our sincere sympathies to Sally and all of TheFamily and Friends with Johns passing. Everyone will certainly miss his friendly smile and treasure his life’s accomplishments and memories,,

My sincere condolences to Sally, her family and friends May John Rest in Peace.

My sincere condolences to Sally, her family and friends May John Rest in Peace.

John was a lovely man. I remember him to be soft spoken, but funny. He was a good friend to my Dad. I am sure there is a great hockey game going on right now, with a rip-roaring party to follow. Rest well, John.

So sorry to hear of Uncle John's passing. As a kid he was always teasing us. Asking about boyfriends! Usually we were too young for that He liked to have fun. Will always remember his smile.