Obituary of Frank Knight

FRANK KNIGHT
JUNE 13, 1935 – DECEMBER 30, 2017

Frank died suddenly but peacefully due to an accident on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the age of 82 after spending Christmas with his family.  Loving husband of Jean Knight for 60 years; wonderful father to Deborah Knight and Sharyn Smith and proud grandfather to Evan Frank Knight.  He was also a cherished father-in-law to Michael Smith (Sharyn) and Edward Nixon (Deborah).  Son of Thomas William and Phoebe Eliza (nee Smith) of Huddersfield, Yorkshire England and brother to Reggie, Herbert, Maurice, Edward, Gladys, Violet, Sylvia and Elsie all deceased.  He was Uncle Frank to Janice, Fred, Ron, Maureen, Roger and Yvonne (deceased) and Alan (deceased) in Canada and to Pauline, Robert, Lynda, and brother-in-law to Philip Dawes in England.  He was a cherished friend to many.

Frank was a professional actor in England and in Canada and appeared in several films, TV commercials, TV series and theatre productions.  Known by many in Scarborough as a co-founder and director of the Scarborough Theatre Guild, he was also an actor and director with the Oshawa Little Theatre, and an award-winning Scarborough Town Crier (winner of the Ontario Championships one year) and our local Santa Claus, and even rode in Santa’s sleigh one year in Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade.  He performed at many seniors homes and was loved for his vaudeville show and uplifting jokes.  Frank had an infectious, loud laugh and a great sense of humour and he loved to tell jokes, tell stories about growing up in Yorkshire, debate politics and write letters to the editor of the newspaper when he thought something should be said out loud.

Frank worked in life insurance business and he enjoyed his time as a Conservative Party volunteer for many years.  He was an avid reader who enjoyed musical theatre, attending the Shaw Festival, all kinds of history and war books and particularly books about Winston Churchill and WW II.  When he retired, he enjoyed reading at home and teaching soccer skills to his grandson Evan.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frank’s name to the Salvation Army or Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre who took wonderful care of him in the brain trauma ICU.  Cremation has already taken place.  A celebration of life will be announced.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.