Brian Knight

Brian Knight of Manchester, Vermont peacefully passed away on the morning of December 28, 2022. Brian was born in Ontario, Canada in 1934, where he spent most of his childhood. The son of Cyril and Roberta Knight, Brian attended Ontario schools Thornton Hall, St. Andrews College, and Waterloo College. In 1958, He received his business degree from the University of Western Ontario. The year proved even more fateful, as he encountered the radiant Air Canada flight attendant, Margaret "Jean" Scott, while riding an elevator. The chance meeting proved to be bountiful as they two embarked on a lifetime journey together. Never to pass up on a new adventure, Brian and Jean married in 1960 and moved south to the United States. For the next two decades, Brian worked for several corporations including Sweda International, Litton Industries, Warner Cable, Prismo Universal and Redland Limited. After twenty-five years in California and New Jersey, Brian & Jean, embracing their northern blood, moved to Manchester, Vermont, where Brian owned the Tubbs Snowshoe Company and was President and CEO of Country Business Incorporated New England and Atlantic Canada's leading business brokerage. He was the author of Buying the Right Business at the Right Price and has been designated as a Certified Business Intermediary, and a Fellow of the International Business Brokers Association.
Brian lost his adoring Jean in April 2018. The two are remembered for their kindness, generosity and hospitality, showing an endless stream of friends, guests and strangers what it meant to be a Canadian. Known for the sparkle in his eye and smile on his face, Brian was witty and mischievous and was quite the prankster. He was quick to bring out his ukulele and serenade guests with calypso songs (before curling up on the floor to take a nap). Friends have said that one could not tell a story about Brian without much laughter. He lightened all of our hearts.
Brian and Jean were always available with a helping hand and an open door. He had a strong presence in every community he called home, always eager to provide guidance and insight. He was very active in assisting the medical services in the community - serving on the board of the Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey and the Southwestern Vermont Health Care in Bennington, Vermont. He served as a Board member of the Southwestern Vermont Health Care between 2002 and 2009 and as board chair in 2006. In 2016, he was the SVHC's Vision Award honoree for Distinguished Community Service. For several years, he was a trustee and president for the Manchester Village Board of Trustees.
Brian is survived by his children and their partners. Karen Bae Knight and Tim Massucco of Townshend, VT. Gillian Knight Rathbun and Dave Rathbun of Durango, CO, and Brian Lane Knight of Manchester, VT. He will be forever remembered by his four grandchildren, Blake, Paget, Lindsay and Archer.
There will be a private family gathering at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Ekwanok Scholarship Trust which provides educational opportunities for Ekwanok caddies.
Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net