Remembering Dwight McBride
Last week, our pastors were shocked and saddened by the news of the sudden death of Dwight McBride, a young father who’s made his spiritual home within the Knox family for a number of years. To honour his life, we share his obituary prepared by his family and also words of thanks to those who have already extended support. Dwight leaves behind wife Yuka and daughter Isabella. If you’d like to join in the community support for Yuka and Isabella, please contact Pr. Frances, frances@knoxtoronto.org.
Dwight with Yuka and Isabella.
From the McBride Family (Cobourg, ON)
It is with heavy sadness that we write to inform you of the passing of our dearest loved one, Dwight, the morning of July 31st. Dwight passed away early in the morning while sitting on his outdoor porch. He died peacefully in his sleep.
Dwight’s family, Yuka, and Isabella were the centre of his life. He treasured them and worked hard to provide for them. In the last few years, he excelled in the federal postal service, driving thirty minutes back and forth each day to his post, in his Chevy Volt. Dwight was in a golden time in his life, often posting pictures of him and his family on Facebook, little Isabella the apple of his eye. In fact, Dwight, Yuka & Isabella had planned a visit with the whole family in Cobourg the day of his death, but this was not meant to be. He was less than two weeks away from his and Yuka’s shared 37th birthday on August 11th. There was so much to celebrate in Dwight’s life and his death comes as a shock and a hard disappointment to those that love him dearly.
Dwight had a love of philosophy. He took several courses on the subject at the University of Ryerson and read extensively on many topics. He loved knowledge and believed in education. This was the serious side of the driving force behind Dwight, which was a deep interest in the fundamental questions of life. He was inspired by nature and its forces: The wind, which he attempted to harness through kite surfing and windsurfing; The sky, trying to fly above the clouds with his evermore sophisticated models of flying drones; The water, through his lithe and graceful waterskiing; Fire, the fire-building competitions that the McBride brothers would often indulge, were a constant source of pyrotechnical excitement (and fear) at our family cottage at Lake of Bays. These forces enthralled Dwight in a way that was visceral. But it was his fascination with the mind, the essence of the soul that inspired him the most. His love for photography is a good example of this. He sought anchoring for his morality and spirituality, in his Christian faith, which he exercised with his family in the Knox Presbyterian church community, in Toronto. This brought him into a love of ritual, symbolism, and tradition. He had an admiration for his grandpa William McBride, who was a respected mason and Presbyterian minister, and this led him to become a mason, to carry on the generational tradition.
Music was central to Dwight’s life. He took piano and voice lessons as a young boy and often sang in choirs, or in duets with his brother, Michael. He loved the violin and grew very proficient with the guitar, often entertaining his family with favorite folk songs. His beautiful but short life brought the most beautiful fruits, in his loving marriage to Yuka and his daughter Isabella. He can leave us with the assurance that everything he worked so hard to build, we will work to carry forward and amplify.
Dearest family & friends,
Thank you all once again for attending Dwight’s funeral today. The ceremony was conducted beautifully by Kristiane, and Dwight’s spirit was strongly present among us. The outpouring of love and support, and the wonderful personal stories you shared about Dwight were a resounding tribute to Dwight’s positive impact on us all. Furthermore, the donation fund for Yuka and Isabella was very well supported. Rest assured, Dwight’s family will have the funds to survive this and bloom again. …
With love,
The McBride Family
