Keith passed away suddenly at home on January 14. He leaves his wife Bonnie, brother Doug and his wife Kay, son John and his wife Jennifer, son Mike and his wife Erin, son Greg and his wife Ja Young, and eight grandchildren.
Keith grew up in a mining family and spent his youth in Allenby, Princeton, Hope and Britannia Beach, before moving to Vancouver to study engineering at UBC. There Keith caught the eye of a beautiful nursing student. Keith and Bonnie married in 1966, and eventually settled in Point Grey. Keith received his MBA from UBC in 1968, which led to a career in business finance, mostly in leadership positions with Roynat and Bank of America.
Apart from his professional life and family, Keith’s true joy was hockey. He loved not just the game itself, but the meaningful and lasting friendships it provided, and the opportunity it offered to live his deeply-held values of fair play, teamwork and inclusivity. Starting as a gang of UBC buddies in 1967, his team grew into the Vancouver Flames Oldtimers, with Keith serving concurrently as the team’s manager, ‘heart and soul’, and reliable if not very nimble presence on the right wing. In 1998 Keith was inducted into the Canadian Adult Recreation Hockey Association Hall of Fame. The Flames’ endurance as a team and a community for more than fifty years provided him with great satisfaction and a lasting legacy. Keith coached minor hockey for many years, and inspired his players to bring their best to each game. For Keith it was never about winning or losing, but about trying hard, having fun, and being a good sport. While this may be a well-worn sports cliché, it was also the core of Keith’s identity.
Keith believed strongly in engaged citizenship. His civic-mindedness came through not with grand gestures or fighting for causes, but by working quietly to build relationships, solve problems, and help people. He was great to have as a neighbour, unless of course your dog left a mess on his front lawn, or you drove too fast on his street – then you would receive a friendly reminder from Keith about community standards. Keith’s final chapter was largely devoted to building community at his and Bonnie’s UBC condo complex. Participation in the strata council, including several years as president, was only part of it. To his last day, Keith was out in the building finding solutions, organizing things, and building bridges amongst his neighbours.
Behind his sometimes gruff exterior, Keith was a warm, caring, and very funny man. His family is grateful to have spent so many happy years debating the topics of the day with Keith, enduring his good-natured ribbing, and watching him become a goofy grandpa to his ever-growing pack of grandkids. He was loved, and will be deeply missed. When conditions permit his family and friends will gather for an appropriate send–off.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Keith Ian Morrison December 26th1941 January 14th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique