Samuel Keeling
Lieu de naissance : Florence
Date de décès : 3 avril 2013
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Samuel E. Keeling.
After a brief illness, he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at the Northside General Hospital.
Born in Florence, Sam was the son of the late Samuel and Ethel Keeling. He was a very active member of St. Stephen's parish, Florence, his entire life.
Sam worked with the Department of Transportation for 45 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, an honorary member of the 4th Degree 2024, and fulfilled the position of Grand Knight for several years.
He was an avid curler for many years and was a member at curling clubs in Sydney Mines, North Sydney and Sydney. In his retirement years he was the volunteer caretaker along with his good friend, Chuck Porter, for St. Stephen's Cemetery. He and Chuck took great pride in the appearance of the graveyard. He was an ardent lover of the outdoors in all seasons. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to be mowing a lawn while keeping an eye on the kids and grandkids enjoying the pool or engaging in a competitive tennis match. Both Mom and Dad spent many enjoyable hours on the boardwalk in Baddeck, and on the beaches of Ingonish.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Leora ‘Tootie’ MacLean; children, Clifford, Alberta, Donnie (Paula), Billy (Ann), Cindy (Jim) Wallace, Michael (Michele), Michele (Lloyd) Fraser, and Sheila (Kurt) Kublek, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Also left to mourn are his sisters, Mary Stapleton, Edna (William) MacDonald, Helen (Ralph) MacKinnon and Anne Marie (Frank) MacCormick; his brother, Patrick and sister-in-law, Jean MacLean. All of Sam's siblings who live away were able to visit with Dad during his illness.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Ralph; infant daughter, Heather and loving granddaughter, Kelsey.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. John Kirkpatrick, Laura Smith and Marilyn MacAulay for their exemplary care and consideration provided to our father in the past years, and through his recent illness. As well, thanks to the nurses of Four West at the Northside General and palliative care doctors for the gentle care and kindness, which allowed Dad to die with peace and dignity.
Visitation for Sam Keeling will be held in the J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines on Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A mass of celebration will take place at St. Stephen's Church, Florence on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Thomas John officiating. A reception will be held in the Florence Legion, after the mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Sam's memory be made to the St. Stephen's Cemetery Fund or Palliative Care.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
