Kiley, David
It is with heavy hearts that the family of David Edward Kiley announce his passing on Thursday March 17, 2016 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst Nova Scotia.
Dave was born and educated in Saint John, N.B. He was the son of the late Michael and Annie (McGouey) Kiley.
During his younger years, Dave was involved in sports, especially baseball and hockey. He played Senior Baseball throughout New Brunswick. In the early 1950’s he signed a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played ball in several cities in the United States, including Terre Haute Indiana, Schenectady New York and Bennetsville South Carolina.
During the winter seasons, he returned to the Maritimes to play Senior Hockey with the Saint John Beavers. He accepted an invitation to join the Amherst Ramblers Senior Hockey Team and made Amherst his permanent home. During his time with the Ramblers he played in three Maritime Championships and one year being a team member going to the Eastern Allen Cup finals. Dave was also involved in the organization of the original Amherst Minor Hockey system. He continued his interest in hockey by coaching the Amherst Ramblers Junior Team during the early 1970’s.
Early in the 1960’s he opened and managed Elm Tree Tavern and retired in 1993.
In 1996 Dave was inducted into the New Brunswick Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was inducted into the Amherst Sports Legends Category. He was honored by the Amherst Ramblers Alumni Scholarship Society for his participation during the Senior Rambler days in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. In 2008 the 1960-61 Amherst Senior Ramblers team, of which Dave was a playing member, was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife Maryann (Hart), daughters Ceciley, Krista and Kelly and their families.
David is also survived by his sisters, Regina Riley, Ellen Kiley, Rita Melanson all of Saint John, and Margaret McLeod, Grand Bay Westfield, N.B. and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Marion Kiley and brothers, William, Leo, Patrick and Urban.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, March 21, 2016 at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Amherst with Father Vernon Driscoll officiating. Interment will take place in Amherst later in the spring.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Campbell’s Funeral Home, Amherst.