Dr. Sean A. Keyes
1934-2018
It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Sean A.
Keyes, a well-known Saint John family physician, announces his passing
which occurred on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Turnbull Nursing Home in
Saint John, NB. Born on July 4, 1934 in Curling East (Corner
Brook), NFLD, Sean was the oldest of 4 children and the only son of
the late Edward B. and Margaret Keyes.
Sean is survived by his loving wife, Constance (nee Lacey);
his children: Edward (Adrienne) of Saint John, NB, Dr.
Elizabeth (Joseph Oliver) of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, Dr. Sean
(Jennifer) of Rothesay, NB, Dr. Kelly Manning (Robert) of Saint John,
NB, Dr. Paul (Brenda) of Rothesay, NB, Connie Dunnett (Jamie) of Saint
John, NB and Sarah, at home. Sean, « Grampy », will
be sadly missed by his 20 grandchildren: Meghan, Devin,
Rosalind, Stephen, Andrew, David, Emma, Katherine, Maggie, William,
Cameron, Christopher, Callum, Anna, Abigael, Rachael, Claire, Sean,
Adam and Gregor. He is also survived by his sisters, Noreen
Munro of Oshawa, ON and Sheila Sullivan (Arthur) of Saint John, NB;
his brother-in-law, Al Lacey (Norma) of Fredericton, NB and his
sister-in-law, Anne Darrah (Rob) of Saint John, NB, together with many
nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his
sister, Sylvia and his daughter,
Margaret-Ann.
At a young age Sean moved with his family to Sydney, NS where
he attended high school at Sydney Academy. He enrolled at
St. Francis Xavier University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1955. He completed his Medical degree at Dalhousie
University in 1960. After interning in Fredericton he
settled in Saint John after meeting Connie, a nurse at St.
Joseph’s Hospital.
For 49 years, Sean practised family medicine in West Saint
John. He thoroughly enjoyed going to work at the
« office », whether in the basement of the family home in
Greendale or at his Dever Road medical clinic where he practised with
his children Elizabeth and Sean for 25 years, before retiring in
2010. He particularly treasured the many friendships he made
with his patients, staff and colleagues over the years. Sean
was also a familiar face working in the Emergency Departments at St.
Joseph’s, the Old General and later, the Saint John Regional
Hospital. He was affectionately referred to by the staff and
nurses in the emergency rooms as « Papa
Keyes ».
Sean was a Past President of the NB Medical Society and the
Saint John Medical Society. He served many years on the
Society’s Physicians Health Committee. In 2000 he
was awarded Senior Membership in the Canadian Medical Association and
in 2002 was awarded the Dr. Garfield Moffatt Medal by the NB Medical
Society for excellence in patient care, continuing medical education
and community leadership. In 2005 he was awarded a Life
Membership in the NB Medical Society.
A tireless community volunteer Sean was a past Chairman of
the Board of Centracare Inc. and the Saint John Regional Hospital
Foundation. He was also a Past President of the Lancaster
Lions Club and a former Chairman of the Saint John District School
Board. He was on the founding Board of Hospice Saint John
and for many years was a member of the St. Rose Parish Council. A true
Newfoundlander who loved social and family gatherings, he was a kind
and generous man who would share his advice and wisdom with anyone who
sought his help and guidance.
Spending time with the love of his life Connie and his
children was Sean’s passion. He took many trips over the
years visiting lifelong friends in Maine and relatives in
Newfoundland. He traveled to St. F.X. often, quietly proud that his
children graduated from « X » and wore the X-ring.
While he enjoyed hunting, sailing, skiing at Sugarloaf, Maine and
family vacations in PEI, it was fishing at Mistake Lake and Island
Lake every summer with his boys, sons-in-law, grandsons and close
friends that he looked forward to most. He will be sadly
missed but fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure to know
him.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Drs. Graham
McNeil and Winston Lee and the Nurses and Staff at the Turnbull
Nursing Home for the excellent care they provided to Sean over the
past few years.
Resting at Brenan’s Funeral
Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with
visitation on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM and
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. A Mass of
Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, 541
Milford Road, West Saint John on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 2:00
PM. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sean’s memory may
be made to Bobby’s Hospice or Parkinson
Canada.
www.BrenansFH.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr Sean A Keyes 19342018.source
Décès pour la Ville: West Saint John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
