Obituary of Boyd Keown

KEOWN, Boyd – At the age of 81, passed away peacefully with his children by his side at the Wilson Memorial General Hospital on Thursday May 9, 2019. He was born March 12, 1938 in Morden, Manitoba and grew up in Windy Gates, Manitoba on the family farm. Predeceased by his parents Dorothy and Martin Keown, brothers Allen Keown and Lyle Keown and grandsons Alex Foy and Colin Desmoulin. Survived by his children Karen Richard, Clint Keown (Jody Lewis), Cheryl Keown (Gary Foy) and Sandra Desmoulin (Barry Desmoulin). Grandchildren Kayla Searle (Eric), Logan Richard, Brandi Keown (Alex), Samantha Keown (Mike), Shannon Keown (Matt), Sarah Crowhurst (Andrew), Madison Foy, Carter Desmoulin and Ethan Desmoulin. Great grandchildren Jaxen Bubar and Zaiden Crowhurst. He is also survived by his sister Marie Vanderstoel (late husband John) and brothers Stan Keown and Gerald Keown (Barb). Boyd will be remembered by his numerous nieces and nephews.
Boyd worked at the Pulp Mill in Marathon as a Millwright from approximately 1959 to 1998. He retired and then went back to work at the Terrace Bay Pulp Mill for several more years. Boyd was known for his strong work ethic and ability to solve problems in many creative ways. Boyd was the original "MacGyver".  Boyd was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. Papa Boyd especially loved fishing with his grandchildren.  Boyd loved spending time in his garden, picking berries and making jam. Boyd was always willing to give a helping hand whether family or stranger.  He often received post cards or letters of thanks from people that he helped, whether it was giving someone a ride,  getting them fire wood, taking someone fishing,  giving them vegetables from his garden or jam for the road. Boyd also visited the Domincan Republic for several years.  He always made sure that he had a suitcase of baseball gloves and clothes to donate to the children there.  A memorial service will be held at the St. John’s United Church, Marathon on Monday May 13, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at the Wilson Memorial Hospital and the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Center for their care and compassion. They would also like to thank Boyd's favourite nurse, his granddaughter Samantha. Sam was not only a great nurse, but also a great fishing buddy. Memorial donations made to the “Catholic Education Foundation” (include a note in the memo line “Colin Desmoulin Scholarship” and forward to Kerry Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 207, Wawa, ON  P0S 1K0 or to St. Mary's College, 868 Second Line East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4K4) would be greatly appreciated by the family. (Arrangements entrusted to the Kerry Funeral Home Ltd., Wawa, ON, 1-800-439-4937).  www.kerryfuneralhome.ca