Cassidy WaigandPeoria Journal Star
Justin Knight was known for having a consistent and contagious smile. Those who knew him said he was always slipping someone a piece of candy or cracking a joke.
One year around the holidays, Knight dressed as Santa Claus – a fitting look when paired with the cheerful and kindhearted personality many remember. His mother, Kathy Crowe, said "he loved making people happy."
He also loved sports, superheroes and his work at Cyd’s in the Park. Emily Cotton, vice president of the business, described her friend and longtime colleague as a real-life hero.
“Superheroes are always saving people, and he kind of did that, too,” Cotton said. “And his superpower was just making people feel good.”
Known as J-Dawg to many of his friends, Knight died on Aug. 20, 2023, at the age of 49. Throughout his life, he made a lasting impression on friends, family and colleagues.
“He wasn’t a lawyer or doctor,” Crowe said, “but he was a great man.”
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‘Justin’s importance was with people’
Even from a young age, Knight had a knack for making others smile.
“When he was young – like 8 or 9 – we would have to send him away from the dinner table because he would make us laugh so hard,” Crowe recalled.
Crowe said he went out of his way to help those around him. She and Justin’s brother, Jeff Knight, said this focus on helping others and making them laugh followed him throughout his life.
His high school diving coach, Paul Beiersdorf, said it never took long for Knight to make friends.
“He made friends easily − no matter where he was, what the situation,” he said. “He was a person who you wanted to meet. He had a contagious smile.”
Cotton attended a different high school than Knight, but she said they were only a year apart in grade. Even as children, she said Knight was the kind of person that “you just knew who he was.”
And chances are, he remembered you, too.
Cotton described Knight as having a photographic memory. At Cyd’s, she said he could recall specific details of multiple plates without looking back to the order screen and could recognize who was at the restaurant based on their orders.
“It was unbelievable how he connected with even people he really didn't have a ton of time with,” she said.
Cotton said Knight once saved a coworker’s favorite treat, a banana flavored Now and Later, for when she returned from maternity leave. Coworkers also remember his jokes, his fun nicknames and greetings for them, his ever-present smile and his ability to always brighten their day – no matter the circ*mstance.
“I watched him make so many (people's) day, every single time he was in the building!" wrote colleague Jazmen McCartney. "Witnessing that alone made my life better, because we have people like Justin in the world!"
Following Knight’s death, Cotton said she has heard a recurring question from staff members: “I wonder if he knew how much that meant to me?”
“I think he knew it because he did have a consistent smile on his face. I think he knew it because he saw the smile returned,” she said.
Cotton said there are many ways a person can be important to a community. To her, “Justin’s importance was with people.”
“We all know how important friendship is in our lives,” Cotton said. “But the kind of friend and the kind of person he was − and how selfless he was − just has an enormous importance.”
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From sports star to stuntman
In high school, Crowe said her son was an athletic student who participated in football, baseball and diving. She said he gave 110% of himself in sports.
Beiersdorf saw this firsthand as Knight’s diving coach. He said Knight was a “tenacious athlete” with a “winning attitude.” Even when Knight struggled to learn a dive, Beiersdorf said he would keep trying until he got it right.
“If his mind could think it, then he could do it,” Beiersdorf said.
Knight set multiple school diving records. During his senior year, he earned sixth place in the Illinois High School Association state competition.
“The guys he was competing against had been diving probably since they were 10 years old and in club diving,” Beiersdorf said. “And (Justin) pretty much learned diving in four different (seasons). He was very talented.”
After graduating from Peoria High School, Knight shifted between colleges before ultimately deciding he wanted to become a stuntman. Crowe said he went to stunt school in Washington and worked as an extra in various movies.
Ultimately, though, she said Knight did not enjoy Los Angeles and she needed help at home. So, Knight returned to the area.
“He was just that kind of a son,” Crowe said.
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Making an impact at Cyd’s
Jeff said his brother “had a hard time transitioning” when he got back. Soon enough, though, Knight reconnected with Cotton at Cyd’s.
“(Justin) knew he wasn't going to be a stuntman in Peoria, so he had to find out what he was going to be,” Cotton said. “So, we met at the right time – I mean, for both of us.”
The business had recently moved to Junction City, where it introduced a dine-in space with Cyd’s Gourmet Kitchen.
As the operation grew, Cotton said the staff needed more help. According to Jeff, joining Cyd’s “made a huge difference in (Justin’s) life.”
Knight did not have an extensive culinary background before joining Cyd’s, though Crowe said he cooked with his grandmother as a child. Even so, Crowe said “if he chose to do it, he’d stick with it and do a good job. He loved what he did.” She said Cotton and Cyd Henrikson, founder of the business, were very supportive of his work.
Cotton described Knight as an “enormous partner” at Cyd’s, who was always willing to try new menu ideas.
His burgers became a summertime staple on Wednesday nights. Knight also created various spice mixes and sauces – including a “diabolical” hot sauce that Crowe said he would often include with Jeff’s burger.
“He liked to try to make his brother cry,” Crowe laughed.
For Cotton, Knight’s focus on people and his "constant presence” made him a valuable partner. She said he rarely became frustrated and would remain optimistic through the busiest nights.
“‘It's just a couple hours. We'll be done soon. It's okay. We're gonna make it through,’” Cotton remembered him saying during stressful nights. “And he was always right.”
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‘He’s not replaceable’
Over the past week, the Cyd's kitchen has not been filled with the hectic energy of a dinner rush.
Knight is no longer standing at the grill top while making Wednesday night burgers or his signature hot sauce. The restaurant side of the business announced it was pausing its operations after his death.
“He’s not replaceable,” Cyd Henrikson said. “I can tell you that.”
Jeff Knight has set up a GoFundMe account to support his brother’s wife and family. A remembrance of life also took place at Cyd’s on Aug. 26.
For Cotton, it is important to pause and take time to heal. A once-blank wall in the kitchen has become a memorial to the longtime friend and colleague – with a painted heart filled with memories and signatures.
“It wouldn't be a service to the community or the staff to try to limp through it,” Cotton said.
On Sept. 1 and Sept. 3, the restaurant will open with a limited menu and drinks. Cotton also hopes to bring more family-style dinner events to the restaurant space in the future.
Cotton said Cyd's in the Park will never be the same without Knight there. Even so, Cotton said she believes his spirit remains a part of the space and said he would want to see the business filled with life again.
She and Crowe also hope that those who knew Knight remember his smile, his ability to make them laugh and his caring, people-focused heart.
“I hope people who met him … took a piece of his really big flame and really will continue to carry that spark with them,” she said. “Because you don't get that every day.”
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