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GEORGE ALFRED KEIR
Born: Feb 02, 1919
Date of Passing: Feb 27, 2005
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGEORGE ALFRED KEIR With much sadness we announce the passing of George Alfred Keir at Riverview Health Centre on Sunday, February 27, 2005. George is survived by his wife of 59 years Edna; daughter Lois; brother Gordon in England; nephew Tom (Elfie); and nieces, Linda and Kristine (Ron). He was predeceased by his parents, William and Florence May; beloved oldest brother Ransome; nephew Barry; sisters-in-law, Jean and Barbara. George was born on February 2, 1919 and lived his life in the Fort Rouge area of Winnipeg attending Lord Roberts School and Kelvin High School. From childhood until 10 years ago he enjoyed vacationing and visiting friends in Detroit Lakes, MN. He, Ransome and families also spent many years at the cottage his father built in Boundary Park at Winnipeg Beach. In his youth he liked playing his guitar and played baseball and hockey, and later became an armchair athlete. Like their father, the Keir boys loved driving and big cars. Getting his first driver's license, buying his first car (a 1938 Nash), and still driving up to last year meant a lot to George. During the Second World War he joined the Canadian Navy and was a stoker on corvettes. His last assignment was on the HMCS Lethbridge. He had many adventures as a sailor and would recall stories including surviving ship attacks and the sadness of losing many school friends in the war. While home on leave, he met Edna at a dance, they corresponded while he was overseas and were married in June, 1946. After the war, George became an auto body mechanic and took pride in his meticulous work on cars. A health concern related to paint fumes forced him to leave a profession he loved. He worked for Manitoba Telephones and then as shipper at ITT Grinnell for 20 years until retiring at age 65. George was a quiet, dependable, honest man, very devoted husband and loving father. His great sense of humour and wisdom will be greatly missed. He kept up with current affairs, sports, and politics. He was a Mr. Fix-It around the house, and enjoyed doing yard work, travel, reading and crosswords in his leisure time. If you needed to find George, he could usually be found in the garage tinkering with or polishing his car. George never went out without wearing one of his vast collections of baseball caps that he or his daughter picked up on travels. He had a few favourites but each one had a little story about where it came from. Everyone knew of his great sense of humour. He was famous for saying I'm only 39 and holding. This always brought questioning looks from strangers but a chuckle from those who knew him. And sometimes he truly believed this as he was young at heart. This especially amused his daughter who has been considerably older than her dad for years. George was also an animal lover particularly dogs and birds. There was always a budgie in the house. His last bird he proudly trained to talk. Over the last six years George overcame a few health problems but this last battle was one he couldn't win. God looked around his garden And found an empty space; He then looked down upon the earth And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful He only takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, And knew that you were in pain, So He closed your weary eyelids And whispered Peace be thine. It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone, For part of us went with you The day God called you home. Lois would like to thank her coworkers at Riverview Health Centre and the staff on 3E for their support and the care and compassion given to her father. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Riverview Health Centre, Palliative Care, 1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4 or the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2L 9Z9. I accordance with George's wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at the Riverview Health Centre, 1 Morley Ave., on Thursday, March 3 at 2:30 p.m. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 Broadway - 783-7211
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 02, 2005