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Ronald Leslie Stewart keeley

June 12, 2006

Oct. 18, 1916 - June 12, 2006

It is with great sadnes that we announce the passing of our loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, and Friend Ron in Chilliwack Hospital with his wife and son by his side. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce, son Ken and wife Doreen of Abbotsford, BC, daughter Kathy Isaac and husband Bob of Calgary, Alberta, daughter Roni Keeley of Penticton, BC; grandchildren Jennifer Gibbons and husband Kevin of Strathmore Alberta, Michael Keeley of Abbotsford, BC; great grandchildren John Gibbons of Strathmore, Alberta and Dahlia Keeley of Abbotsford BC as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends.

Ron was born in Nelson, BC and spent his youth years growing up in Vancouver. Ron worked as a cook in St. Paul’s Hospital, many logging camps in British Columbia and spent World War II in the kitchen at Chilliwack Army Base. Following World War II Ron worked in the Okanagan as a fruit picker when he found a young nurse from Kelowna, Joyce, fell in love and married her May 21, 1948 in the United Church of Summerland. Ron and Joyce lived and raised their family in Penticton where he worked at Lear’s Sawmill and or 25 years as a Postal Clerk. Ron was Local Postal Union President during the 1960’s and retired on October 19, 1976.

Ron and Joyce enjoyed Square Dancing and for many years were on the executive of the Peach City Promenadors and the Okanagan Square Dance Association. They were instrumental in organizing many activities which promoted Square Dancing in the Okanagan including floats for the Peach Festival and Regatta Parades; May Long Weekend Square Dance Campouts; monthly theme square dances to celebrate Canada’s Centennial; producing and distributing newsletters. Two days after his retirement Ron and Joyce moved into their van “Betsy” travelling western U.S. and Canada as BC Square Dance Ambassadors where they made life long friends. Their van became legendary among square dancers with the large sign proclaiming “THIS VAN STOPS AT ALL SQUARE DANCES”. In 1983 Ron and Joyce were the first Canadian Square Dancers to dance on a float in the Pasadena Rose Parade. In 1993, after 400,000 miles Betsy retired while Ron and Joyce settled in Chilliwack.

Family and friends are invited to join together to celebrate Ron’s long and proseperous life on Saturday, June 24 at 2:00 pm in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 46221 Margaret Avenue, Chilliwack B.C.



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