Keith Dalton Savile passed peacefully in his sleep April 16, 2020 at the age of 78. Preceded in death by his loving wife Barbara Ann Holden, he is survived by his 3 children: Julie, Jane and Keith, Keith’s partner Shelly and grandchildren Keith 3rd and Alexandra.
Keith was born April 17th in 1941, son of Edward and Ruth Savile and grew up on a farm outside Milverton with 8 cherished brothers: Herb, Ray, Ron, Elmer, Jack, Doug Lloyd and Ken. They and their families remained close, through all the joys and challenges that come with life. As a young man he loved Elvis, Rock n Roll, cowboy movies, especially with John Wayne, motor drag racing, animals, the land, and fun!
He met his sweetheart Barbara when they were teenagers and their love story lasted a lifetime.
In his early years he worked with his brother Ron on construction and was a wielder at Cooper Besmier in Stratford. He then went on to build his U Fix It business, helping handymen and some not so handymen (he would laugh), do their own car repairs and painting.
He was generous with his time and talents and many have stories where Keith showed up to help them out. He could build anything and did, including a 35ft steel hull sailboat and a cottage at Wildwood where family and friends would gather, be given a hammer or saw to work for a couple hours, followed by BBQ, boating, swimming, fishing etc. There was always time for music, horsing around with the kids, bonfires and tall tales. Boy could he spin a yarn! He was also a practical joker. No body, got away.
Keith and Barb moved north to their cottage in the 1980’s. They established a farm property near McKellar, east of Perry Sound with farm animals, and a very large garden. They always loved the land, bush walks and bonfires where friends and family gathered around, creating unforgettable memories. They boated and skidooed, made maple syrup from their bush in the spring and cut a Christmas tree from it in December. Tobogganing was a must Christmas morning, racing dad down the hill behind their house. They built 4 more houses during these years.
Keith became ill with Alzheimer’s and Barb with cancer but they would not be parted. When Barb went into the hospital and could not go home, Keith also required long term care. We were blessed to have them both taken into the Heritage care ward at Greenwood Court in Stratford where they could be together, and friends and family could visit. Barb passed away 3 years ago and Keith has kept daily company with his brother Ron. Both of them became wheelchair bound and have spent the last 3 years together every day, looking out into the garden, telling their stories, dad whistling after he could no longer communicate. On April 13th Uncle Ron passed and Keith followed him April 16th.
Because of the restrictions we are living with at the moment, we will wait until we can all come together again and, in a joint Celebration of the lives of Keith and Ronnie Savile share our stories, music and good cheer in remembrance of those we love, who have shaped us and given us the best parts of ourselves. We hope you will be able to join us.
One last note of such deeply felt gratitude goes out to the staff at Greenwood Court on behalf of all of us. We thank you for your “faith based care”. In unprecedented times where so many are grieving the loss of loved ones, we thank you for being a pillar of excellence in every way and we know you grieve with us. We know by your never ending kindness and gentle care of our loved ones that you also loved them. What extraordinary human beings you are. If you would like to make a donation in honour of Keith Savile, we ask that it be to Greenwood Court in Stratford and may be made through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Keith Savile 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Stratford, Province: Ontario