Biographie Knight Jean

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Source : Ottawa Citizen, June 25, 1956

Hull Youth, Girl Drowned As Boat Capsizes in Lake

Gracefield, Que. (Staff) Two lifelong companions, a Hull youth and a 15-year-old girl were drowned at noon yesterday when their speedboat capsized on Lake Pemishangan, about 20 miles southeast of here. The bodies of Jean Knight, 22, of 228 St. Joseph Boulevard, Hull, and Yollande Parker, 15, of 232 St. Joseph Boulevard, were recovered early Sunday afternoon. The time and cause of the accident is unknown. They had left the dock of Bermain Knight, operator of a tourist home at 11:30 am in a 15-foot craft. It was powered by a five-horse-power outboard motor. When they failed to return to the Knight camp for a lunch a search was launched. The overturned boat was located about 50 feet from shore, and about half a mile from the Knight camp.

Had Been Warned

The Citizen was told that Jean, who is believed to have been operating the speedboat, had been warned that it was dangerous to carry two persons in the craft. He was inexperienced in handling the boat. The lake was calm when the accident happened and there was no apparent reason for the tragedy, it was reported. The girl was an expert swimmer and the holder of Red Cross and St-John Ambulance life-saving medals.

He companion was a non-swimmer. Relatives of the victims feel that the girl probably attempted to save the life of the young man and was drowned in the attempt. What actually happened will probably never be known, authorities said. The two victims of the drowning left Hull on Saturday afternoon with Remi Knight, 18, of 73½ Rouville Street, Hull, and Gaston Knight, 16, of 63 Rouville.

They were last seen alive when they left the dock in the speedboat at 11:30 yesterday morning. Remi Knight was the first to fear that an accident had happened when they failed to return to the camp. The boat trip was to have lasted only a few minuted.

Spread Alarm

Searching the shore line he noticed an object in the water that thought might be the boat. He spread the alarm. Gaston hailed an American fisherman, George A. Croll, of Ohio, who was in a boat nearby. The fisherman raced to the spot and found the boat. He drove into deep water and recovered the body of the girl. In the meantime Bermain Knight, and Rodolph Duval, of Gracefield, jumped into a boat and made for the overturned boat. As soon as their boat reached the overturned boat, both men dived into the water. They found Jean's body and brought it to shore. Duval who is experienced in first-aid attempted to revive the victims without success.

No Inquest

Coroner J.T. Lecuyer, of Maniwaki, and Detective Achille Thibault, of the QPP were called to the scene. Death was ruled as accidental. There will be no inquest.

Remi Knight gave the Citizen the following version of the tragedy, “I had just returned from church, and was worried when I learned that Jean and Yollande had not returned. I had warned them that the boat was dangerous for two persons. I ran out to the lake. There was no sign of them on the water. Then I ran down the shore for some distance and I saw what I believed to be the boat on the water. I hurried to get help – but it was too late.” he said.

Yollande Parker was the adopted daughter of Mrs. Albert Parker, 232 St. Joseph Boulevard, Hull, who was cared for her since she was an infant.

Born in Hull

She was born at Hull on July 6, 1941, and was educated at St. Joseph School, near her home. He father, Albert Parker, died four years ago. She leaves her mother, two brothers, Constable Wilfrid Parker of the Hull Police Department and Edmond, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Gerald (Therese) Lapante, Mrs. Laurier (Yvonne) Racicot, and Miss Lucille, all of Hull.

He was born in Hull and received his education at Larocque School. In addition to his parents, he leaves five brothers, Raymond, Maurice, Jacques, Jean Paul, and Gerard, all of Hull; five sisters, Mrs. Paul (Rita) Fortin, Montreal; Mrs. Jacques (Yolande) Loyer; and Misses Gisele, Hughette and Michelle, all at home.