CWO KEITH M.S. DELLER, CD

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CWO KEITH M.S. DELLER, CD It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Keith McNeill Starr Deller, our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, on September 16, 2012, with family by his side. Keith was born on October 19, 1928 in Toronto. He was predeceased by his parents, Ivy and William Deller, brother Donald Deller and sister Thelma Weston. Keith went overseas during the Second World War, at the age of 15 years, serving in the Canadian Merchant Marine aboard Norwegian vessels on the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and in the Middle East Theatre in 1944-1945. He enlisted in the RCAF August 1946 in the Works and Buildings Branch as a Construction Hand, later re-mustering to Pumpman. Tours of duty included RCAF stations at Trenton, ON, Comox, BC, Chatham, NB, and Cold Lake, AB (often spending a few summers on loan to 1 CMU for Arctic Resupply). When the services integrated in 1968, he was converted to the Military Engineers. When he retired in October 1983 he was the longest serving member of his rank in the CME Branch. He was the author of History of CMU's 1 CEU and co-author of The Canadian Military Engineers Vol. 3. Keith also travelled to work on projects in Quebec City on the Citadel, Germany and was involved in Peacekeeping with the United Nations in the Golan Heights, Israel. Keith has received many medals in honour of his contributions to his country. On Merchant Navy Day, September 3, 2012 he was delighted to receive the Queens's Jubilee Medal. Not only was he a member of Charleswood Legion # 100, he was also a Master Mason at Trent Lodge # 38 for over 50 years and a member of Western Canada Water and Waste Water Association for over 40 years. He was known to be a nature lover and avid birdwatcher while he enjoyed his garden and watching visitors to the birdbath; he was a stamp collector and an artist through painting wildlife in watercolors and wood carving, in his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing, taxidermy and remained an avid historian of the First World War and The Second World War and the Civil Wars. He was well read and enjoyed a good Western or Classic Old Time movie along with the History Channel. Keith will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jane, of 61 years. He will also be missed by his children Starr (Brian), Keith (Wanda), Lynne, Erin (Kerri), and Melody (Brian); grandchildren Andrea (Ryan), Marc (Kelly), Heather, Bonnie, Gwen (Marcel), Ailene, Will, Bryan (Candice), Crystal, Allison, Erik, Megan and Kerra, great-grandchildren Rhett, Hailey and Hanna. He also leaves to mourn his sister, Marcella Fagan, niece Peggy and nephews Donald and Gordon in Ontario. Keith will be sadly missed at family gatherings he so enjoyed. We would like to thank all Medical and Support staff in the Emergency Department and on GD4 at H.S.C. for assisting the family during this difficult time, most importantly with their sensitivity and compassion in helping to make Dad comfortable during his final hours. A celebration of Keith's life will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 1100 hours at 17 Wing Community Chapel, 2235 Silver Ave. off Wihuri, formerly Whytewold Rd. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Keith's name to a charity of one's choice. Rest in Peace Dad. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 20, 2012