Sam Knight: Tributes for Warburton dad, partner and mountain bike community member after shock death

A passionate member of the Warburton mountain bike community is being remembered as an inspiration to many after his unexpected death, as locals rally to support his partner and young daughter.

Jigsaw Jumps founder Sam Knight, from Warburton, has died unexpectedly. A fundraising page has been started to support his family, partner Vicky and daughter Hazel.

Tributes are flowing for a beloved young Warburton dad and passionate member of the local mountain bike community after his shock death.

The community has been left devastated after the unexpected death of Sam Knight, 43, founder of business Jigsaw Jumps, where he designed, built and sold portable bike jumps.

The community has already raised more than $30,000 to support Mr Knight’s partner Vicky and young daughter Hazel.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken to share the news that Jigsaw Jumps founder Sam Knight passed away this week,” the business posted online.

“Sam was a much loved father, partner, son, brother, uncle and friend and an inspiration to so many.

“His enthusiasm for mountain biking was infectious and the bike jumps he so lovingly created and built touched the lives of many.

“Sam made the world a much happier place and his legacy will be remembered with every smile his jumps continue to put on the faces of bike riders young and old.”

Speaking at Tuesday night’s council meeting, Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said the Upper Yarra community was “completely devastated and heartbroken” to hear the news of Sam’s death.

Tributes are flowing for Warburton man Sam Knight, a cherished father, husband and member of the local mountain bike community.

Cr Child said Sam had chosen to move to Warburton to start and grow his dream business and to provide a better environment to raise his family.

He said as Sam developed relationships and gained respect and loyalty he identified opportunities to not just promote his product but provide experiences in the form of events, especially for kids and scout groups, councils and schools.

Cr Child said Sam would share the sheer joy of these events with colleagues, and had an infectious smile and humble manner.

“It wasn’t just the kids having fun, Sam always had fun too,” Cr Child said.

He said the council’s thoughts were with Sam’s partner Vicky and daughter Hazel.

“Sam, a special person in our community, will be sorely missed.”

The Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers group also posted a tribute to Sam, describing him as a cherished member of the mountain bike community.

“Sam, a local member of the Warby community, brought a lot of happiness to a great deal around Australia through his brainchild, Jigsaw Jumps.

“There is a fundraising page setup to help Vicky and Hazel with the uncertainty they’ll face. “We know times are rather tough and not everyone has the means to assist Vicky and Hazel financially, however if you could skip a coffee or three, or perhaps reconsider those new handlebars you don’t absolutely need, we know Vicky and Hazel would greatly appreciate it.

“Sam has left such a profoundly positive legacy on mountain biking and for that we will be forever grateful.

“We’ll miss you mate!”

The GoFundMe page says: “In a world where moments are fleeting, we are enveloped in profound sorrow as we share the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of our cherished Sam.

“Sam, a loving father to Hazel, devoted partner to Vicky, adored son, brother, and a valued member of the Warburton community, left us unexpectedly... leaving behind waves of grief and an irreparable void.

“Sam was a beacon of warmth and vitality whose presence enriched the lives of everyone around him.

Details: gofundme.com