Keith’s Obituary
Keith Rivers passed away at the Norquay Health Centre, Norquay, SK, on July 6, 2021, at the age of 90 years.
Keith was born on November 26, 1930, in Woodstock, ON, to William and Elsie (Raddatz) Rivers. He grew up on a farm with his two brothers. He had a love of horses and always looked after the farm work horses. He had a good memory on how things were when he grew up and many people enjoyed listening to the stories he shared.
Keith worked as a labourer all his life. He says he got lucky when he turned 40 and secured a job with health benefits and a pension plan at the nickel mine in Sudbury, ON. He worked there until his retirement. During his working years at Sudbury, he had a horse which he used to give rides to children at community events.
In 2000, after his trailer home burnt, Keith moved to Norquay, SK, where he had purchased a house (sight unseen) through The Western Producer.
Kind, appreciative, and an asset to his community, Keith was a hard worker and always helped people when he could. He had a very kind, giving soul! He would mow lawns, shovel walks and would not accept any payment. He watered the community flower pots for many years and cleaned up litter all over town.
Keith was always concerned about the farmers! He would always ask how things are going and was interested in things that would affect the farm. As different parishioners started walking him home after church service, he would always ask about the crops and the trains to transport the crops.
An avid reader, he enjoyed The Western Producer which he read diligently every week – he was always on top of the issues discussed in every edition. Along with reading the Western Producer, he loved Canadian History books. He had books and more books, which he graciously donated to other people also interested in history.
While in his home, Keith had a large garden and shared his vegetables with neighbours and with the Salvation Army in Yorkton, SK. When his home was no longer viable, he moved into Senior Housing, a block and a half from church.
With a devoted faith, the church was the most important thing in Keith’s life.
He always gave more than his share to his church and to charities, his two favourite being, The Salvation Army and The Red Cross.
As he grew older and his ability to walk got more difficult, you could still always see him with his cane, then his walker, heading up the hill to church. He never missed a Mass!
Keith spent his final year in the Norquay Nursing Home. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. God Bless you, Keith!
He was predeceased by parents, William and Elsie, and two brothers, William Walburn and Glenn Graham.
He is survived by his daughter, Theresa Rivers; grandchildren: Terrell, Trey, and Tylynne; sister-in-law, Ann Rivers; nephew, Kevin Rivers; and his niece, Gail Lonsberry (Rick); as well as his parish members and many friends.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 12, 2021, from St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Norquay, SK, with Rev. Fr. Michal Pajak, OMI, as Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, southeast of Hyas, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to The Salvation Army or to the Norquay Health Centre Auxiliary, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Keith Rivers.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Keith Rivers 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan