In memory of
David MacBrien Knight
November 10, 1940 - October 6, 2025
David MacBrien Knight passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday, October 6TH, 2025. Until the very end he remained true to his nature - witty, intellectually curious, kind-hearted, and generous in spirit. David embraced life fully and will be dearly missed by his family and countless friends all over the world.
Born in Vancouver on November 10th, 1940 to Donovan Knight and Clarissa Cowdry, David spent his formative years in Winnipeg. He earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba, completing them in 1965. During his university years, he was an active oarsman with the Winnipeg Rowing Club, and a proud member of Zeta Psi fraternity.
After a three-year tenure at Proctor & Gamble, David relocated to Boston with his first wife, Rosemary. There David attended the Harvard Business School where he attained his Master of Business Administration in 1970. Upon graduation he worked as a research specialist with Massachusetts Financial Services and it was during this time that David and his wife welcomed their son Jason into the world.
Returning to Canada in 1980, David started Knight, Bain, Seath & Holbrook Capital Management (KBSH) and served in the roles of President, Executive Chairman, and Founding Partner for nearly 27 years. During this time, he founded the KBSH Spirit Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the well-being of children which continues to thrive in its 28th year. His next exciting chapter saw him create Georgian Capital Partners where he served as President until his passing.
David was a man of many passions - classic cars and a deep appreciation of Canadian art were at the top of the list, and his collections of both were a source of deep pride. He cherished his time in Victoria, especially at his spiritual oceanside home in Oak Bay, where he found joy in observing the local wildlife: deer, harbor seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and the occasional pod of orca whales.
David is survived by his son Jason, his dear friend Sylvana, his wife Diane Mara, his sister Judy, his niece Clare, his daughter-in-law Tiffany, and his beloved grandchildren Isobel and Benjamin.
A celebration of life will be held on November 10th (on what would have been his 85tth birthday) at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mt. Pleasant Road. Friends are invited to gather in the chapel at 11am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the KBSH Spirit Foundation, or to the David Foster Foundation in honour of David’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy and child welfare. Links to make a donation are available by clicking the donation tab at the top of this page.
Born in Vancouver on November 10th, 1940 to Donovan Knight and Clarissa Cowdry, David spent his formative years in Winnipeg. He earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba, completing them in 1965. During his university years, he was an active oarsman with the Winnipeg Rowing Club, and a proud member of Zeta Psi fraternity.
After a three-year tenure at Proctor & Gamble, David relocated to Boston with his first wife, Rosemary. There David attended the Harvard Business School where he attained his Master of Business Administration in 1970. Upon graduation he worked as a research specialist with Massachusetts Financial Services and it was during this time that David and his wife welcomed their son Jason into the world.
Returning to Canada in 1980, David started Knight, Bain, Seath & Holbrook Capital Management (KBSH) and served in the roles of President, Executive Chairman, and Founding Partner for nearly 27 years. During this time, he founded the KBSH Spirit Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the well-being of children which continues to thrive in its 28th year. His next exciting chapter saw him create Georgian Capital Partners where he served as President until his passing.
David was a man of many passions - classic cars and a deep appreciation of Canadian art were at the top of the list, and his collections of both were a source of deep pride. He cherished his time in Victoria, especially at his spiritual oceanside home in Oak Bay, where he found joy in observing the local wildlife: deer, harbor seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and the occasional pod of orca whales.
David is survived by his son Jason, his dear friend Sylvana, his wife Diane Mara, his sister Judy, his niece Clare, his daughter-in-law Tiffany, and his beloved grandchildren Isobel and Benjamin.
A celebration of life will be held on November 10th (on what would have been his 85tth birthday) at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mt. Pleasant Road. Friends are invited to gather in the chapel at 11am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the KBSH Spirit Foundation, or to the David Foster Foundation in honour of David’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy and child welfare. Links to make a donation are available by clicking the donation tab at the top of this page.
Funeral Details
Show location:
Celebration of Life
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres
375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON, CANADA, M4T 2V8
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Monday, 10 Nov 2025 11:00 AM
Info: A link to livestream David's Celebration of Life will be available at the top of this page at approximately 10:45 am on the day of the event.