David Gray Knight

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Springfield College Stonehill College

David Knight Obituary

KNIGHT, David Gray Former Chamber of Commerce Executive and Coach, died suddenly on Saturday, April 25th, at age 71. Dave was born in Brockton to the late Arthur "Bud" Knight and Cecil Todd (Gray) Knight, grew up in East Bridgewater, and lived in Carver for many years before semi-retiring to Orleans. As a young man, he excelled at football and track, and was a state golf champion in high school. He graduated from Worcester Academy, and received his Masters of Education from Springfield College. He traveled to Sierra Leone with Operations Crossroads, was the founder of Springfield College's Guyana Project, and even survived a bout of malaria. Dave married his Lithuanian wife, the late Janet Elizabeth (Kumpa) Knight, in 1971. Dave was Stonehill College's first head football coach and also coached football on Long Island at the semi-pro level, along with countless other coaching jobs including high school track and girl's softball. He worked with several Chambers of Commerce including the Greater Bourne-Sandwich Chamber of Commerce, which he served as President. He was an avid traveler, gardener, and storyteller, and was the friendliest guy you would ever meet. Always a jokester, Dave was known for his many disguises, pranks, magic tricks and the famous paper bag routine. Besides his family, his greatest accomplishment was working with children, and inspiring them to follow their dreams and, no matter what path they chose in life, to be the very best they could be. Dave will be remembered for his never ending optimism and activism for equal rights. Dave leaves his two daughters: Heidi Haldeman Knight O'Brien, her husband David O'Brien, and Hilary Hewitt Knight, her husband Mario Charalambous, along with his longtime partner Julia Enroth, and two grandsons Benjamin and Maximilian O'Brien. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 9th at 10:30 AM at the First Parish Brewster, 1 Harwich Road, Brewster, MA 02631, firstparish-brewster.org. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: notonourwatchproject.org/.

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Published by Boston Globe on May 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for David Knight

12 Entries

March 22, 2010

Dear Heidi and Hilary,
I just learned today (3/22/10) of your loss. I do not want to reopen your pain, but do want you to know that an old friend from Springfield is saddened to hear of Dave's death, and has very fond memories of time together. We shared a trailer in the winter and spring of 1963, and worked together in the college's International Relations Club. He was a terrific man, and you have a wonderful legacy.
Howard (Skip) MacMullen
Sabattus, ME

Michael Finegold

May 6, 2009

To the Knight Family,
I met Dave several times through the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. He was an enthusiastic individual to say the least. I'm sorry that I did not have a chance to get to know him better. My thoughts and condolences go out to you and your families. Dave will be missed.

Izzy Thompson

May 6, 2009

Dear Julia, Please convey my deepest sympathy to all David's family. The first time he came to TOPS, I gave him a cup of coffee and he spoke of that as though I had given him the world, but then, that is just who he was. I wish there had been more time to get to know him even better. In the short time I knew him, my admiration and respect grew and grew. In reading his obituary and finding out more about him, I realize why I found him so very special. I shall miss him very much and hope, Julia, you will return to us when you are ready and tell us more of this very special man.
Love and deepest sympathy,
Izzy

Peter Ward

May 6, 2009

To the family of David Knight,
I'm very sorry to heard about David's passing and have very fond memories of growing up next door to David in East Bridgewater.

May 5, 2009

Dear Heidi and Hilary, We were so sorry to hear about your Dad.....Our families spent a lot of time on softball fields; I remember thinking you, Hilary, were Suzanne if you were out in the field; but the strongest memory is Dave Knight was always there,coaching, cheering, telling a story.....and then all the years at CHS.... He really was a Carver icon. May your memories sustain you.

Barbara Waters

May 5, 2009

To the family of David Knight
As chair of the TOPS Club, David was a member, I am sending our heartfelt sympathy to the family at the sudden passing of a wonderful gentleman. We will miss his ideas and enthusiasm we came to rely on during our meetings.

Joe Goldman

May 5, 2009

Hilary, Heidi and Family,
I was stunned to read about Dave's passing.
I spent time with Dave in Falmouth 5-7 years ago. He was a thoughtful, caring and
very kind man. I share in your sorrow.

Sandy & Jeff Martin

May 4, 2009

Hilary and Heidi,
We were stunned to hear of your Dads passing. He was a positive influence on everything and everyone everywhere he went, and most of all, one of the proudest dads on this planet of his daughters. He will be sadly missed by everyone he touched.
Please know that our thoughts are with both of you during this time.

Denise Brown

May 4, 2009

Dave's Family,

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Dave was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. He always showed an interest in all the kids at Carver High School. I remember he was always on the lookout for someone new to show his "paper bag" trick to.

He was so proud of his daughters and their families and spoke of them often. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Allison Asacker

May 4, 2009

To the Knight family,

I am so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. I worked with him for a year at Carver. What a wonderful man! He made every attempt to be as helpful as he could and always made sure to cheer you up if you were having a bad day. He'd sing and speak poetry and make funny faces and do magic tricks or sometimes just lend an ear if one was needed. I will remember his smile and love for his family. He'd talk about all of you and the grandkids so much that I feel as if I have known you all for years! Although I worked with Dave for a short time, he was a great friend/co-worker and I will always be greatful to have shared many nice memories with him. I hope to attend the service on Saturday and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Paul Strobis Sr

May 4, 2009

To Dave's family,
Dave was a terrific guy who i remember well for his smile and energy as I knew him in Carver not so many years ago. I believe we were both JC's and then Carver CAPs... I am truly sorry for your loss

Bruce Doteen

May 3, 2009

Dear Heidi and Hilary,
Bruce Doten sends heartfelt condolences in attempting to understand and share the loss of your dad, the best friend of my youth...and beyond. Memories of our times at E.B.H.S., Ousamequin deMolay, two weddings in which I was "best man", football, track and just plain being pals are ever in my thoughts. Please reach me by email this week on Martha's Vineyard at [email protected] whereas I'd like to hear from you prior to comnig to Dave's life celebration on Saturday.
Love,
Bruce

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