WILLIAM JAMES KEITH ALLEN

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WILLIAM JAMES KEITH ALLEN William James Keith Allen passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Tuesday, May 29, 2007. Keith was born at Eriksdale Hospital in the Inter Lake district on April 22, 1932 and was raised on a country farm. The family was engaged in raising R.O.P. chickens. This was during the war years; eggs were being dried and sent over seas to the troops in great numbers. In his early years, Keith attended a one room schoolhouse. Later he walked one and a half miles to town for high school. His first steady job was working with the Manitoba Telephone System in 1950 as a time clerk on line crews, then as a lineman learning to climb poles. In 1954, he was taken on to the cable department as a cable splicer and later as a journeyman splicer traveling all over the province. This brought him to Dauphin in 1955 where he met and wed his life companion Lynn. In 1960, a promotion came to him by moving into the engineering office in Winnipeg. Keith was then transferred to the Brandon engineering office in 1963, where he spent the rest of his working years. After 41 years he retired as Engineering Manager Western Region. Keith spent many years working with and being president of the Telephone Pioneers and being part of the Brandon Tropical Fish Club. His hobbies were woodworking, raising tropical fish, camping and fishing. Keith spent many years golfing and curling with the masters. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Florence J. Lynn Allen; his eldest sister Verna (Doug) Watson; sister-in-law Ann Allen; brothers-in-law, Arthur Clawson, Archie Papineau and many nieces, nephews and their children. Keith was predeceased by his mother Mae Allen; eldest brother Laurie Allen and his sister Rose Fermette. In keeping with the family's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Keith may be made to Canadian Cancer Society Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 9Z9 or the Manitoba Lung Association, 8 940 Princess Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0P6. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2007