July 14, 1959 - August 3, 2015
It is with unbearable sadness that we share the news of Keith’s passing. Keith was born in Vancouver and lived his entire life on the Sunshine Coast with the exception of five years in Quesnel during high school. After graduating, he returned to the Coast to start commercial fishing on the Ocean Pearl. Keith spent four years fishing but once his first daughter, Tanya, was born he shifted gears and started logging so that he could be home each day with his family. Keith moved on from logging after he was hired at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, which is where he spent the majority of his working life.
Keith loved life. His greatest love was his family and his greatest pride and joy were his two daughters, Tanya and Erin. He always said they were his best friends, and he meant it! He loved taking them on adventures and was always keen to share with them his love of music and sports. Keith also adored his wife, Wendy. During their 35 years together, they spent countless hours camping and hiking with their family and friends, and in later years, they travelled to many spectacular destinations around the globe.
Keith spent many years coaching and refereeing hockey, helping with Power Skate, and coaching women’s baseball and minor softball. He was a dedicated coach year after year and loved every minute of it! Keith was also a skilled guitarist and loved to entertain. He and his brothers spent many hours playing together and sharing their love of music. Some of our best memories are sitting around a campfire with Keith playing his guitar and singing. He also accompanied his daughter, Tanya, when she sang at various community events and family gatherings.
Mourning the loss of Keith is his wife Wendy, daughters Tanya (Miguel) and Erin (Jordan), grandchildren Lavell and Presley, parents Charlie and Pat, brothers Brad (Louise) and Rene (Shelly), and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends from near and far.
Our family would like to thank Keith’s physician, Dr. Bryson, whose care for Keith went beyond office hours and was always accompanied with empathy. We would also like to thank the entire staff at Sechelt Hospital. Your care for Keith was exceptional and was full of genuine love and compassion. You not only cared for Keith but for our entire family, and for that we will be forever grateful.
Lastly, we want to express a huge heartfelt thank you to our loving family and friends. You have all gone above and beyond and have made the past few weeks bearable for us. Without your love and support, we don’t know how we would have made it through. We love you all.
Life will never be the same … It’s hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember.
A celebration of life will be held at the Holy Family Hall at the corner of Nickerson Road and Tyler Road on Saturday, August 22 from noon to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome!