Print
Keith William Nesbitt
January 14, 1930 – September 15, 2019
Keith William Nesbitt, 89, peacefully entered into the arms of the Lord on September 15th, 2019 in Ottawa, surrounded by family.
Keith was born on January 14th, 1930 in Montreal, the son of the late Laura (Davis) and William (Bill) Nesbitt and late brother Gordon. He grew up in both Morin Heights, where he developed a lifetime passion for skiing, and on his grandmother’s farm in Rosemont, Montreal. Hard work, gardening, and animal husbandry contributed to his love of the outdoors. He had the gift of natural kinship with all animals, particularly dogs and horses.
Keith raised three children with his late first wife Aurora (Laura) in Montreal while working for the Montreal Star and the Canadian Ski Association. They spent their holidays and weekends enjoying many outdoor activities around his parents’ home in Morin Heights, other parts of the Laurentians, and the Eastern Townships. Keith was part of a big family and was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was a ski patroller and broadcast a ski report on radio every weekend morning for several years.
Keith’s lifetime involvement with the sport of skiing began in Morin Heights in 1946. He profoundly influenced the course of alpine ski competition in Canada. In 1967 he became executive director of the Canadian Ski Association, a position he held for ten productive years. In recognition of his contributions to the sport of skiing, he was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1991. Later he served as the Chairman of the Canadian Ski Museum for several years. He was also the Executive Director of the Canadian Weightlifting Federation for a few years.
After moving to the Ottawa area, (due to his position with the Canadian Ski Association), Keith married his second wife, Linda, and raised two more children. They spent several wonderful years living in the heritage Meech Lake house. While living there, Keith was able to continue enjoying his love of nature, horse back riding, skiing and canoeing. Keith and Linda took great satisfaction in building a stable for horses, beehives, and creating large gardens at Meech Lake. They were fortunate in owning a ski chalet at Mont Tremblant which provided more years of pleasure. In that time period Keith worked as a realtor helping many families buy and sell their houses.
Keith and Linda were a very social couple, who frequently entertained many friends and family. Loved by everyone he met, Keith was known for his charisma, sense of humour, easy going kind nature, and handsome smile. He was an active member of Kiwanis and served on the Board of Directors for Kings Daughters and Sons after delivering Meals on Wheels for years.
Keith is survived by his loving wife Linda, his five wonderful children Karen, Brian (Cindy), Sandy (Christie-Sue), Krista (James), and Andrea (Jeremy), as well as eight dear grandchildren Lee, Laurel and Patrick, Braedon and Landon, Grace and Olivia, and Emmet, and two precious great-grandchildren, Riley and Grace.
Keith’s Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 28th at Calvary Christian Reformed Church (3782 Russell Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 3N2).
Visitation will be held both at 2 pm, before the service, and at 4:30, with refreshments following the service. The service is planned to begin at 3:30.
Donations in memory of Keith can be made to the Osgoode Care Centre to support this outstanding nursing home, which is a registered charity. Many thanks to the team there who provided excellent comfort and care to Keith in his final months.
January 14 1930 – September 15 2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Keith William Nesbitt..
Décès pour la Ville:Mississauga, Province: Ontario