McKeil, Malcom Ralph
After a life spanning 92 years, dad died in his sleep, on May 19, 2017 in Hamilton, Ontario. Sincere thanks to the St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke staff for their compassionate care throughout the years – he was safe and he felt it.
He was born on April 11, 1925. He was predeceased by his parents Olive (McCormick) and father William, his brother Evans, wife Florence and son Blain; his sister Sylvia, husband Bill Cameron; and Jamie McKeil, the son of his only surviving sibling Doug and wife Helen. The mother of his children, Jean predeceased him in 2002. Tragically, he was predeceased by his son Gord in June 1997.
A father of nine - Starting from the top: Susan (Dave), Linda (Donnie), Malcolm Jr. (Kyoko), Tim, Gord (Judy), Jeff (Collette), Marilyn (Eli), Tom (Nancy), Nina. Parents and kids alike could rattle them off as if one long name.
Close to two dozen youngsters called him granddad/grandpa. Great-grandfather status was also reached more than a dozen times. He was uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Drawn to the natural laws found in the world of engineering as well as nature, memories of sharpened pencils and slide rulers are at the ready. Despite sore knees, fallen arches and often worn out shoes, a trek up the Hamilton escarpment was the usual order of the day after his retirement from Atomic Energy of Canada and for a time, a tugboat crew member at McKeil Marine, Inc.
Other long-held interests included left-leaning politics, science fiction books, listening to bagpipes play, as well as driving too fast and smashing up countless cars along the way. His one-of-a-kind dancing style was something to behold.
It is a true labour of love trying to recount a life in a few lines of print. Foremost the task is to respectfully announce the end of that particular life. It can also help frame the loss for those left behind. Cascades of emotions (both positive and negative) will continue to shape how he will be remembered, especially by his children. But as we bid him farewell, the way we honour him is how we honour ourselves and one another.
A memorial for friends and family is scheduled on Saturday June 17, 2017 from 3 -7pm at 870 Cedarbrae Avenue, Milton, Ontario. Please RSVP Lhunter13@hotmail.com.
At a later date, perhaps during a Gathering of the Clans weekend, his ashes will be scattered by his children in Pugwash Nova Scotia where he was born and repeatedly drawn to return.



World War II Veteran