Robert Keith McKay passed away peacefully on Monday, April 2, 2018 at Valleyhaven long-term care facility in Chilliwack, B.C. with his wife, Pat, and friends by his side.
He is survived by his dearly-loved wife of 55 years, Pat (nee Grace); sister, Laura Martin (Robert); nephew, David Martin; sisters-in-law, Susan Bell (Harry) and Beverly Grace; as well as numerous McKay and McCormick relatives in the Fort Frances, Ont. area.
He also is survived by his good friends, Laura Leys, her husband, Phil, and family who worked tirelessly in Keith’s last years to enable him to remain at home.
Keith was born on July 26, 1935 in Burriss Township in Northwestern Ontario, the son of the late Kenneth McKay and Hazel McCormick. He attended school in Burriss and later in Fort Frances.
After graduating from high school, Keith joined the military (air force), where he began to learn accounting. After his discharge in 1957, he completed an accounting degree by correspondence and later, in 1969, obtained a B.A. (History and Economics) from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C.
His career in accounting was as an auditor for various companies, and as a manager of credit unions in the Chilliwack area.
Along with their busy careers, both Pat and Keith we able to indulge in their love of horses by establishing small horse farms on several of their properties. They boarded horses, developed riding rings for community use, and arranged trail rides.
Horses were Pat’s passion and Keith came to enjoy them, as well.
Cremation has taken place and following Keith’s wishes, there will be no funeral.
At a later date, his ashes will be buried beside his father in the Burriss Cemetery.
ROBERT KEITH McKAY
