DRINKWATER, Keith, of Fergus, Ontario, previously of Sale, England, became a Rugby player for God on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. He was 59.
Keith is waiting in his Treehouse by the water for his devoted wife of 16 years, Patricia. An amazing Father to his large brood of children, he is survived by Christie (Aaron), Matt (Kym), Jeremy (Jesica), David (Nina), Melanie and Kalie. As a fun-loving Papa he was blessed with grandchildren, Tatum, Seth, Brynley, Dylan, and expectant of another beautiful granddaughter. He will be extremely missed by his brother Brian (Jacquie), his nieces, Amy (Ben), and Lucy (Nathalie), and many nephews, and 2 great nieces, 3 brothers-in- law, and 2 sisters-in- law, and by his countless friends made over the many years spent in England, Canada, and USA.
Keith immigrated to Canada at the age of 19 to work for Blount Industries. During this period, he also opened his own laser company; Symtec Laser. He eventually went on to run Symtec full time. Never one to sit still, while running Symtec, Keith and a partner started “Down Under”, a dive shop and training center where he taught many people how to enjoy life under the water. Keith was an Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, and Ice Diver. One of his greatest prides and achievements was becoming a Dive Master. He was also an Under Ice Rescue Specialist.
After selling Symtec in 2008, in January of 2009 he partnered to open Cardinal Laser which he ran for 4 years. After a brief retirement, Keith decided a life of leisure was not for him, going back to work as a General Manager at DK Custom Welding and Design, where he remained until his passing.
While Keith was a Tool and Die Maker by trade, some of his hobbies included wood carving, working on his vintage Porsche, restoring antique smoking pipes, gardening and photography.
Keith volunteered for the Canadian Red Cross for many years, including as Head of Disaster Services Management for 7 years, and the Red Cross Branch President for Guelph for 5 years. During his service he was sent to New York after 9/11. Keith handled many important positions, including having access to Ground Zero and other special landmarks. While there he met his wife Patricia who was serving with the American Red Cross. One of the stories from this time that he loved to tell was about the loud, cursing/yelling match he had with Lisa Minnelli, which he won! Keith was awarded the “Golden Jubilee Medal” for his service to the Canadian Red Cross.
His incredibly accomplished life also included sitting on the Regional and Zone Red Cross Management Councils. He helped form and manage the Emergency Operations Control Group for the City of Guelph, was a qualified Law Enforcement Underwater Investigator for firearms retrieval, evidence preservation and human remains recovery, and a Canadian Coast Guard Search & Rescue Tech. Keith was involved with the Fergus Truck Show for 18 years, serving on the Board many times was a founding member of the Highland Rugby Club and played from the age of 12 in England to 50 here in Canada. He was “sworn in” under the “Canadian Official Secrets Act”, (twice!), but of course couldn’t tell anyone why!
In England, Keith raced Minis, was in theater, and developed a piece of equipment used by hospitals for long- term patients. He also developed a laser welding process specifically for scientific equipment as part of the Space Program; one of the 3 units he built was lost in the Discovery Space Shuttle program explosion.
Family and friends visited at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home, 280 St. David St. South, Fergus on Sunday, June 11, 2017 from 4:00 – 7:00pm and on Monday, June 12 from 10:00 - 10:45am. A Funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 760 St. David St. North, Fergus at 11:00am. Reception to follow at the church. A “Celebration of Life” was held back at his home at 8067 Wellington County Rd. 19 the same day. As per Keith’s request, attendees were requested to wear bright colours to remember his life and to reflect the joy and brightness he experienced in it. Memorial donations may be made in honour of Keith to the Highland Rugby Team. Visit www.grahamgiddyfh.com or 519-843-3100