Obituary of Cecil Keats

Cecil Keats passed away on May 3, 2022 at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre in Botwood, NL at the age of 88 years. He married the love of his life Ruby (nee Burt) on December 29, 1953 and they were blessed with 6 beautiful children, 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren who all were the apples of his eye. 

Cecil was a family man at heart, he made sure to provide for his family, spend as much time as he could with them and made sure to let them know they were loved.  He loved to see his grandchildren come to visit and was always silly with them.  He had a great sense of humour and an infectious belly laugh that could be heard all over the place.  He was also an avid dart player in his early years and card player in his later years, even up to days before his death.  He was sure to beat almost anyone in a hand of cards or crib, no matter who held the pen!  He loved to travel with friends and family in his earlier years and oftentimes would take it in his head to go somewhere and would be gone the next day with any number of people in the car.  One of his personal joys was being sure to tease Ruby and always make her laugh.  He loved to pull her leg.  Even in the days and weeks leading up to his death, this was a priority.

Cecil worked with Abitibi-Price and retired in 1996 when he was 62 years old.  He also served on the Town Council of Peterview for a number of years.

Cecil was predeceased by his son, Lorne; son-in-law, Frank Clinch; parents, David and Annie Keats; Parents-in-law, Azariah and Violet Burt; brothers, Levi, Melvin, and Angus; sisters, Minnie, Phyllis and Sheila; grandson, Keith Samson; and great granddaughter, Sydney Blake.

Cecil leaves to mourn his loving wife of 68 years, Ruby, and his children: Clayton (Rosalind), Brenda (Keith Humber), Carolyn (Jim Samson), Sharon (Frank Clinch, deceased), Sylvia (Brian Blake), Betty Keats (daughter-in-law); siblings Wilson, Gerald (Sharon), Randy (Betty), Bryon (Mairi), Stella Reid, Isabelle Keats, Janet (Barry Burt); 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Randy Keats, Barry Burt, Quentin Keats, Sherman Blake, Darren Humber, Ethan Samson. Honorary pallbearers will be Brenda Humber, Caroyln Samson, Sharon Clinch, Sylvia Blake.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Debbie Sin Yan Too and the nurses and staff at the Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre for their care of Dad (Pop).  Special thanks go out to those who have worked on Unit C.

Donations in Cecil's memory can be made to The Salvation Army Peterview Corps Cemetery Fund (PO Box 29, Peterview NL, A0H 1Y0) or to a charity of your choosing.

 For those attending the visitation or the funeral servcie, the family would appreicate a mask being worn at both events. Thank you.