Kenneth John Keating
October 13, 1952 – September 26, 2019
In loving memory of Kenneth John Keating, who passed away peacefully with family by his side Thursday, September 26 following a short battle with cancer at the age of 66. Ken is survived by his wife Debbie of 44 years, his children Jennifer (Tom) of San Francisco, CA, Melissa (George Jr.) of Wabigoon, ON and Chris (Jenn) of Oxdrift, ON, as well as his grandchildren Jordan, Xavier, Sierra, Bryson, Callie and Chase, and his faithful companion Dawg.
Ken is also survived by his sister Isabel and brothers Mike and Alfred of Saint John, NB, as well as many in-laws, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ken is predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Grace, and his brothers Charlie and Joe, all of Saint John, NB.
Ken was born and raised in Saint John, NB, where he loved to spend time with a bonfire, friends and family on McLarens Beach both as he grew and whenever he visited. Ken and Debbie met and began their lives together in New Brunswick in 1975, where they had their first daughter before moving to Dryden, ON in 1980 where Ken worked for 30 years in the Bleach and Chemical plants at the Dryden mill. Ken and Debbie went on to have another daughter and a son, settling and raising their family in Dryden. Ken was always a very involved husband, father, grandfather and community member.
As his kids grew, in the winter, Ken could usually be found at the arena watching hockey or ringette, but rarely from the stands. If he wasn’t coaching or reffing, he was volunteering in one way or another. If not at the arena, you could find Ken at the North Dryden skating rink flooding or shoveling off the ice or tying neighbourhood kids’ skates. In the spring and summer, Ken spent a lot of time at the baseball diamonds coaching and umping his kids’ ball teams. As his children started families of their own, he remained the same involved husband, father and papa, working in the garden, cutting firewood, cooking lunches, shredding carrots for Debbie’s cakes, playing board games, fishing or just spending time with his grandchildren.
Ken always enjoyed his time with family and friends and will be missed greatly by many.
Cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Visitation will take place on Monday, September 30, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home with Pastor Velma Henderson officiating.
Interment will take place at a later date.
Donations may be made to Making Connections for Children and Youth c/o Firefly through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to dcfh@drytel.net subject heading: Keating
