David McKnight

Other Events:

• Public Service: Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation member
• Occupation: Land Registrar
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-161989

Notes:

McKnight, David:

Passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on January 17, 2023 at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener, ON at the age of 86.

David was the beloved husband and best friend of Linda (née Rosnik); the loving father of Shawn (Louise Foley) and Glenn (Sue Mann); dear grandfather to Connor; and devoted stepfather to Nick Ontonovich (Noy); and Baba to Lisa, Brandon, Victoria, and Tom. He is also survived by his niece, Glenda McCall.

Predeceased by parents Cecil and Marion and brother Neil.

David's kindness and wisdom impacted many lives. His numerous friends and his beloved "puppies", Spencer and Whoopi, will miss him greatly.

Following his long career as a Land Registrar, David enjoyed his retirement by pursuing his passions of cooking and genealogy. He excelled at both.

David's family will receive relatives and friends at a Memorial Service held at Glencairn Church, 725 Erinbrook Drive, Kitchener on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Mennonite Central Committee and Social Development of Waterloo Region- A Better Tent City would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).

David McKnight Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information. (2023). Retrieved 22 January 2023, from https://www.henrywalser.com/memorials/david-mcknight/5124055/index.php

Other Events:

• Military: WW2
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182130
• Residence: 1921, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Cecil married Marion Esther Stevenson 4 May 1935, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Marion (daughter of William Stevenson and Margaret Sellers) was born 12 Feb 1917, Verdun, Ile de Montreal, Quebec; died 16 May 1986, Welland, Welland Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Marion Esther McKnight
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182129
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-353832

John — Grace Catherine Rossell. Grace was born CALC 24 Sep 1883, Glenshee, Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario; died 12 Sep 1943, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 15 Sep 1943, Preston Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Grace Catherine McKnight
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-353833

Notes:

MRS. JOHN McKNIGHT

PRESTON. Sept. 13— Illness of 13 months duration culminated in the death at St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener, at 5: 30 yesterday morning of Grace Katherine Rossell, wife of John J. McKnight, a well-known Preston resident for the past 27 years. Mrs. McKnight had been confined to the hospital for the past week. In her 60th year, the late Mrs. McKnight was born in Glenshee, Norfolk County and before making her home in Preston had resided in Delhi and Rockton. A member of the local Baptist Church she took an active part in church work. Her husband, three sons, Victory George Johnston, of Los Angeles, Donald John McKnight, Toronto and Sgt. Cecil S. McKnight of Halifax and four grandchildren survive. An infant son, Neil McKnight, predeceased her in 1927. The remains are resting at the Stager-Pass Funeral Home, from where the funeral will be held on Wednesday with service at the Baptist Church at 3 p.m. Interment will be in the Preston cemetery.

Kitchener Daily Record 13 Sep 1943 pg 13

Other Events:

• Military: WW1 - 242nd Battalion of Forestry
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182112
• Occupation: 1916, Verdun, Ile de Montreal, Quebec; stableman
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1930, 440 Courtland Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Heavy Quality Of Gas May Have Been Cause Of Disaster

City Engineer Shupe At Lose To Account For Horrible Accident In Which Three Men Lost Lives; Gas Was Hydrogen Sulphide

TANK IN OPERATION SINCE 1901 WITHOUT ACCIDENT

While theories and suppositions appear to be abundant,an official expression of opinion as to the cause of the disaster at the Mill street sewer farm yesterday was not available today. Three men lost their lives in the tragedy as vaporous sewer gas, deadly in its action, seeped into one of the four large tanks where men were engaged in cleaning operations.

The gas, commonly known as sewer gas, is technically known as hydrogen sulphide, or as it is known to chemistry students by its symbols, H2S. It is particularly repellent to the nostrils and is usually swift and effective in reaction.

A certain amount of this gas is found in sewers. City Engineer Shupe stated today, altho it is unusual that it should be present in sufficient quantities to asphyxiate men so quickly.

Asked for his opinion as to the cause of the disaster, Mr. Shupe said that he finds it difficult to explain. He believes, however, that the gas, heavier than air, collected in the bottom of the tank and
gradually ove rcame the workmen. The fact that it is heavier than air would permit it to collect in the cavity particularly in view of the humid nature of the air.

He also believes that the absence of a breeze outside may have permitted the formation of this "gas pocket" in which the three lives were lost. The lid was off the tank and had a stir been present in the air, the heavy gas cloud might have been dispelled.

The tank in which the triple fatality occurred has done service since 1901 and this is the first mishap of its kind to occur in connection with this piece of equipment. Afterall these years, the engineer stated, the fatalities occurred with a new sewage disposal system in course of preparation. The tank was one of rather an ancient vintage which had to be cleaned by hand. In tanks on the new sewer property, the cleaning is done automatically.

Former Chairman Speaks

Dr. J. F. Honsberger, first chairman of the sewer committee, today outlined the events leading up to the construction of the plant at which the disaster occurred. It was built, the former chairman said, only after Dr. Nasmith and Dr. Arnyot, had spent an entire summer in this city, surveying sites and conducting experiments. The provincial department of health approved the plant on the recommendation of the experts. In view of this approval, it is likely that the attention of the department will be called to the disaster. Crown Attorney Bowlby today intimated his intention of summoning an inspector from the department to look into the mishap.

Benefit By Compensation

Survivors of the three gas victims will receive remittance from the Workmen's Compensation Board, City Engineer Shupe said today. At the preliminary inquest yesterday, September 9 was set for the hearing of evidence before Coroner Dr. J. E. Hett. The inquest will be held at the city hall at 7.30 o'clock in the evening.

Three Beyond Aid

Replying to a statement by Dr. C. Belyea who went to the scene in the ambulance and revived ,Alex Mayer thru artificial respiratory methods, Deputy Fire Chief Kern, today said that no amount of artificial respirationwould have saved the other three men. Dr. Belyea had said yesterday that, in his, opinion, the three victims might have rallied, had someone capable of administering artificial respiration been on the scene.

The deputy chief added that he applied the Schaefer method on the two men whom he dragged from the tank without avail. One of them, he said, was breathing when brought to the outer air but died while he was attempting to revive him. The other died before means of inducing respiration could he resorted to.

Moreover,Mr. Kern said, Mayer, the man whom Dr. Belyea revived, was the only one of the four men in the tank to show any outward signs of life. He was moving while the other three were lying quite still.

Determined To Investigate

"I am determined to investigate this disaster to the fullest possible extent," Coroner Dr. Hett said today. He added that the post mortem did not reveal the nature of the gas which caused death.

Explosion - The Daily Record 3 Sep 1930 pg 1

_____________________


William Stevenson, 440 Courtland avenue, city, who came to his death yesterday by gas poisoning at the Kitchener sewage disposal plant, was born in Glasgow,Scotland, January 22, 1879. He immigrated to Canada 25years ago, coming to Kitchener in 1919. He was in his 52nd year and was a member of the Canadian Legion. He is survived by his wife, two sons, John and Williamat home and two daughters, Violet and Marion, also at home. One sister, Mrs. H. Diamond of Montreal also survives. The remains will rest at the Schreiter Funeral Home until Friday morning, when they will be taken tohis residence. The funeral will be held on Friday at 3.30 o'clock from the home to Mount Hope Cemetery. The deceased enlisted with the 242nd Battalion of Forestry in June, 1917 and went overseas in November of the same year. He served there until be was injured when he returned to this country.

The Daily Record 3 Sep 1930 pg 15

William — Margaret Sellers. Margaret was born 23 Jan 1884, Coatbridge, , Lanark, Scotland; died 14 Jan 1958, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Stevenson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182117
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182131

Andrew — Catherine Maxwell McClellan. Catherine was born 31 Jan 1870, Georgetown, Halton Co., Ontario, Canada; died 19 Jan 1920, Blayney, Charlotteville Twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario; was buried , Old Methodist and Evergreen Cemetery, Lyndock, Norfolk Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Maxwell McKnight
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182139