Obituary of Michael Eric Knight

Michael Eric Knight, 55, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, passed away on April 19, 2021. Visitation will be held at 9000 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024, May 1, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel will be handling the funeral arrangements. A celebration of Michael’s life will follow at the The Knight Residence, Chapel Oaks @ Chapel Trail, 421 N.W. 189th Terrace, Pembroke Pines, Florida, 33029. Friends are welcome to bring a picture and share a favorite memory or story about Michael. Michael Eric Knight was born in Homestead, Florida to Susan Deal Knight and Edward Eric Knight on August 16, 1965. He went to high school at Miami Southridge Senior High and graduated in 1983. During high school Michael was on both Miami Southridge Senior High’s Junior and Varsity Spartans Baseball team and was a dominant force being referred to by his teammates as Mike “Flawless” Knight. Mike was subsequently named to the All-South Dade News Leader Team. He also played with the Cutler Ridge Post No. 315 American Legion Baseball team earning an MVP and batting a .400 average in the Deland 4th of July Firecracker American Legion Baseball Tournament. This was but one of Michael’s many accolades including other MVP awards, featured newspaper articles highlighting his accomplishments and vital contributions to his teams successes. Michael went on to earn an Associates Degree from Miami Dade College on scholarship and played baseball with Miami Dade South’s Jaguars. While playing with Miami Dade South, Michael was offered scholarships with Vanderbilt University, Stetson University, and The University of Miami. This came as no surprise as Michael was well known to possess raw, natural talent and had been referred to by coaches and scouts as a “five-tool player” excelling in hitting, hitting for power, running, fielding, and throwing. Michael’s skills are testament to him as the consummate baseball player. Michael’s ultimate choice was to play baseball with the University of Miami Hurricane’s. From the time Michael played baseball with the Perrine Khoury League from eight years of age on through the 10th grade, he had an unwavering passion, dedication and love for the game, his teammates, and coaches. Although Michael’s dream of joining the University of Miami’s Hurricane’s team and ultimate life-long aspiration of playing baseball professionally ended abruptly, some of us know why and some have wondered and speculated as to what had happened to Mike “Flawless” Knight. What happened was that Michael developed a debilitating mental illness. Unbeknownst to himself, most who knew him, his family and even his parents, Michael had been struggling greatly all the while playing baseball and making the Dean’s list at Miami Dade College. He knew something was wrong, but did not know what was happening until he was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, a debilitating brain disorder that he fought fiercely for the rest of his life. Since the full onset of the devastating brain disorder, Michael was never able to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Although, true to Michael’s unwavering spirit, sheer will, dogged determination, and courage, he soldiered on for decades enduring what were unbearable symptoms. Despite dozens of combinations of medications in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms, there was never anything that had given him any reprieve from the grip of the disorder. Despite it all, Michael still retained what was his core spirit and personality. He loved being with people. He loved his family. He loved his old friends, teammates, and coaches. He cherished them and those memories and spoke of them often. He loved to tell stories. He loved to make people laugh. It was well-known that Michael would make a phone call only to sing a song that always brought with it a smile and a great laugh. Michael had many friends throughout his life and was loved by all. He will always be remembered and the memories of him will be cherished forever. Michael is survived by mother, Susan Knight, sister, Carolyn Scornavacca, brother-in-law, David R. Paz, Jr., nephew, Anthony Scornavacca, niece, Sarah Scornavacca, niece, Naomi Paz, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Edward E. Knight. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate Memorial Donations that can be made to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203 https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Donate-to-NAMI Please keep the Knight family in your prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Knight family with the arrangements.