Obituary of Keith Miller Kennedy

Keith Miller Kennedy, 91, passed away with family by his side on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at St. Mary’s General Hospital.

Keith was born and raised in Tara, ON, the son of the late Catherine (Miller) and Rexford Kennedy. He was the loving husband for 61 years of the late Amy Helen (Beattie) Kennedy (2015). Dear father to John (Jo-Anne) Kennedy and Gail (James) Zippel. Proud grandfather to Courtney (Drew) Turner, Alexis and JAK Kennedy, Erika (Mike) McGarr, Lisa (Phil) Brown, Jeff (Sarah) Zippel, and great-grandfather to Harlow and Oliver Turner, Alex McGarr, Teddy and Winston Russell Brown. Brother to Marie Stride of Guelph, Barb (Ross) Smith of Fenelon Falls, and brother-in-law to Sue Kennedy of Guelph and Eleanore Beattie of Owen Sound. He was predeceased by his brothers Howard and Jim Kennedy, brothers-in-law Fred Stride, Glen Beattie, and Reginald Marshall, and sisters-in-law Norma Kennedy and Laura Marshall. 

After graduating from the Ontario Agricultural College Guelph in 1948, Keith accepted a position with Massey Harris in Alberta. During their time in Western Canada, Keith and Helen set up homes in Calgary, where John was born, Lethbridge, and finally Bassano, where Gail was born. In 1961, at the age of 35, Keith returned to Guelph where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at OVC. In 1966, Keith received his doctorate with the second highest marks in his class amongst a much younger group of students. Upon graduation, Keith joined Eldale Veterinary Clinic as a partner. To round off his career, Keith spent his last few years before full retirement working for the Ministry of Agriculture with the Animal Inspections Unit. 

Keith was an avid golfer, and a true bridge and cribbage enthusiast. Over the years he also enjoyed curling, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. He was a genuine scholar and a gentleman who cared deeply for his family and friends. Keith will be genuinely missed by all who knew him. 

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and support staff at SMGH, Clair Hills, LHIN, and Warm Embrace for their special care.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service with a celebration of life at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated and may be arranged through the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com