James "Jim" Knight

The service will be live streamed on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 10:30am, please click on link to register and view the service: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=b7fecb71-d0df-4ceb-bf92-622808cd9370

Suddenly, on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, James “Jim” Alexander Charles Knight passed away at the age of 88 years.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Jean (nee Craig) of Portage la Prairie; daughter Beth Knight (Wayne Rispler) of Winnipeg, son Brad (Sandi) Knight of Macdonald, and son Perry Knight of Macdonald; grandchildren Karen (Steve) Falkingham of Winnipeg, Thomas (Haley) Rispler of Winnipeg, Evelyn Knight of Winnipeg, Brady Knight of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Carlee Knight (Siddhartha) of Kathmandu, Nepal; great-grandchildren Aurora, Henry, and Martin of Winnipeg; cousin Patricia Ralston of Balzac, Alberta; niece Barbara Mills of Courtenay, British Columbia, and nephew David Craig (Brandi Patton) of Peachland, British Columbia.

He was predeceased by his parents James and Williamina Knight; and brother- and sister-in-law Gerry and Bernice Craig of Comox, British Columbia.

Jim was born in Portage la Prairie and attended school in Longburn, Westbourne, and Neepawa. He went on to complete Technical School in Winnipeg (where he first met Jean), graduating in Diesel Mechanics. In 1953 he returned to Longburn to farm and work with his two uncles, James and Charlie Paterson. Jim and Jean married in 1955. Jim volunteered with community hockey, 4-H, and Manitoba Pool Elevators.

In 1971 Jim was elected to the RM of Portage la Prairie, where he served first as a councillor for 14 years, and then as reeve for 21 years from 1985 until his retirement in 2006. During that time, he served on countless boards and committees throughout the community he loved so much.

Jim was an Honorary Lifetime Director of the Portage Industrial Exhibition Association. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (formerly the Union of Manitoba Municipalities, for which Jim served as vice-president and president). For more than 30 years, Jim served on the board of the Portage and District Hospital Foundation.

In retirement, Jim spent many hours reconditioning old tractors and travelling across Canada and the United States with Jean in their RV. Ever the storyteller, Jim entertained family, friends, and community members alike at many a dinner table across Manitoba. He had an innate ability to bring people together and to crack a joke at exactly the right moment. Jim loved spending time helping on the farm (especially riding the combine), camping with the Good Sam club, or just spending an evening swapping stories with friends. Jim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He always made time for everyone. He was thoughtful, caring, and will be missed by so many.

We would like to thank all those who assisted at Dufferin Villa, along with the paramedics, nurses, and doctors at the Portage District General Hospital for their compassion and care.

A private family funeral will take place on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 10:30 am and will be available to view via livestream please click on link to register and view the service: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=b7fecb71-d0df-4ceb-bf92-622808cd9370

Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Portage District General Hospital Foundation 524-5th Street SE Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3A8 https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E356816QE&id=4 or to a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021