Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Colombie britanique for funeral details
Keith Charles Wagner
Obituary
Obituary for Keith Charles Wagner
February 3, 1972 – October 3, 2024
Larger than life
“To hell with that. I gotta finish up.”
~ Happy Gilmore
We are heartbroken to share the passing of Keith Charles Wagner from cancer on October 3, 2024 at the palliative care unit of Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. His children Nia and Charlie were with him, along with his brother Kurt – they watched the movie Happy Gilmore to say goodbye. From his diagnosis only a few short months ago, to the too-quick end, Keith fought hard against the cancer that took him; in the end at peace with a life well-lived.
Keith is predeceased by former partner Lisa Cherkas and by his parents; Mother Sandy in 2008 and Father Donald Wagner in 2011. He is remembered by family and friends in Vancouver, Kelowna and all over the world; at the top of the list are Nia, Charlie, older brother Kurt (Michelle), niece Daelyn, nephews Jackson, Aiden and Jordan and of course Peanut the Beagle, who wonders where her person went.
Although he is gone, the best of Keith stays with us in his children – nothing in his life made him more proud or happy than being a dad to Nia and Charlie.
Born in Burns Lake, BC, where his dad was posted to the RCMP, Keith’s school years started in Prince George, but were mostly in Westbank, where the family moved in 1977. Graduating from George Pringle Secondary School in 1990, he completed two years at Okanagan College before heading to the University of Victoria, where he graduated in 1995 with a degree in business that included a one-year co-op term in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – a time that inspired a love of travel that would take him all over the world in the years to come.
His first job outside of university was at a currency exchange in Victoria and then in 1998, Keith joined Powerex as an energy trader, work that would change his life in every way.
At a Christmas party in 2000, Keith and Lisa, already good friends at work, suddenly saw each other in a different light. They fell deeply in love and two years later Nia was born, followed by Charlie in 2005. Although they parted ways after a time, they never stopped being the friends they started as, and they worked hard at co-parenting. At the equally heartbreaking end of Lisa’s life two years ago (also from cancer), Keith was at her side in all the ways she needed, supporting Nia and Charlie through that hard loss.
When Keith walked into a room, you noticed him, just like his nickname-sake character “Norm” from the TV show Cheers (given to him by high school pals). His personality showed on the outside – from his booming laugh and twinkling eyes ready to prank or tell a story, to his ambling larger-than-life presence, he would have worn shorts every day of the year if he could. He was as comfortable with a raunchy joke as he was with discussing energy hedging and was true to himself with either his (as he called them) hillbilly crowd or a board of directors. He was smart and the definition of personable.
He loved good food, especially from the kitchen of best friends Mike and Donna, where he spent so many nights over the past 20+ years sharing life, laughter and all kinds of wine, from the finest to the boxed.
Keith was an adventurer, with numerous trips through all of Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia, and to many areas of South America and Africa, not to mention through Canada and the US. He flew to South Africa in 2010 to see the World Cup and stopped in Morocco on the way back. Trips started without a plan beyond a return airline ticket; he spontaneously followed the adventures that presented themselves. He had long dreamed up plans to retire to Malaysia. A poignant getaway last Christmas to Mexico with Nia, Charlie and Daelyn still has the kids smiling at classic Keith, who would be surrounded by a new group of friends if they stepped away from him for even a few minutes.
For all the faraway places he saw, none held more memories than the family cabin at Loon Lake near Cache Creek. Keith and the kids spent time there year-round, adding friends along the way. In summer, he’d take the pontoon boat out and just float – a Captain Morgan in one hand and a beer in the other, while one winter story involves Keith getting the Fireball and chainsaw out and cutting an 18-inch hole in the ice for a “Viking swim.” On the wall inside the cabin, a poster board boasts “Keith Wagner’s Tally: How many times have I won Settlers of Catan?” His competitive streak also showed up at an annual best ball golf tournament for a few dozen friends, mostly made up of his lifelong Kelowna buddies. Dubbed the GAD Tour, Keith won a staggering five times in 26 years all with his partner Eggbert. This year’s tournament will be held in Keith’s memory.
After 26 years at Powerex, Keith’s absence leaves an irreplaceable void. Not just as the funniest guy there – running a beer mile in a sumo suit, or tazering CEOs with a prank beer can, but – more quietly – as one of the best traders in the organization, playing a major role in Powerex’s trading in the Western United States.
As a father, Keith parented with straightforwardness and action – but most of all with jokes and pranks. Charlie remembers his dad suggesting he throw on a pair of slippers to take the recycling out, only to discover them filled with shampoo. Teaching them self-sufficient skills, Nia recalls Keith overseeing her changing the oil, when – from inside the car – he thought it would be fun time to blare the horn, jolting Nia into bonking her head on the hood. But they also felt heard; both choosing university business programs in part because Keith spoke to them like adults about the work that he enjoyed, wanting them to share his passion. They admired their dad’s commitment to his work and his connection to people above all. Said Nia: “There was never a way for me to disappoint him.”
Family and friends wish to thank both the extraordinary team at BC Cancer and the staff at Lions Gate Palliative Care Unit. We all miss the booming, laughing, distinct lilt of Keith’s voice. Losing the sound of his spirit in the world is an unbearable quiet.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Memorial Donations
From Nia and Charlie: Please no flowers. Pet a dog. Wear your shorts in the winter. Hug someone you love. Since we lost both our parents to cancer, donations to the BC Cancer Agency Foundation or Lions Gate Hospital Foundation are a meaningful way to remember our dad if you are inclined.
2024
Death notice for the town of: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique
death notice Keith Charles Wagner 2024
obituaries notice Keith Charles Wagner 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Keith Charles Wagner 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
