Obituary of Keith MASSEL

December 9, 1927 – Chepstow, Ontario

May 14, 2020 – Okotoks, Alberta

With great sorrow, his family announces the peaceful passing of Keith Massel on Thursday, May 14, 2020, of natural causes in his 93^rd year.

Born in Chepstow in Bruce County, ON, Keith showed his strong work ethic early, helping in the village general store owned by his father. He enjoyed fishing, hockey, and accompanying his father on weekend adventures to see the Leafs play at Maple Leaf Gardens. Keith met Mary one summer when she was visiting her Lacey cousins on their farm in Chepstow. A great romance blossomed, and after Keith started working in Toronto, he would take the train to Montreal to visit Mary whenever he could. They married in August 1953.

Keith became established in the engineering supplies business. He took a big leap moving west, first to Winnipeg in 1965 and eventually settled in Calgary in 1976. Keith started his own successful distribution company at a later stage in his career.  He sold the firm before retiring at age seventy-two.

Keith's life was centered primarily on his love for his family and strong faith. With a young family, summers consisted of road trips, weekends at the cottage in Rainy River, ON, and the occasional round of golf. Mary and Keith especially enjoyed holidays to warmer climates. Hawaii was a favourite. Keith took great joy in going on drives through the country, puttering in his garden, delightful pasta dinners, and keeping in touch with his grandchildren.

Cherished husband of sixty-six years to Mary (nee Lacey), adored father to Ann Marie (David Lizotte), Paul (Tanis), Maureen Lew, and Mary (Scott Lobson); proud Papa to Martin, Carmen, Carter, Cooper, and Everett. 

He is lovingly remembered by his sister Rosemary, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Bette Gallagher, Larry Lacey, Ray Kelly, John and Diane Lacey and Margaret and Gerald O'Hara; as well as many nieces and nephews.   

Keith was predeceased by his parents, Edgar and Nora (nee McGuire); brothers Patrick and infant Joseph, and sister Noralee Graham; his son-in-law Charlie Lew, his mother and father-in-law, Thomas and Mary Lacey, brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank Lacey, Eileen and Alex Collins, Bill Gallagher, Tom and Ann Lacey, Patricia Lacey and Catherine Kelly.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. JP Leung, Keith’s long time family physician.  The family would also like to recognize the many medical professionals who cared for Keith over the past few years: Dr. Victor Zepeda, Dr. Puja Kumar, Dr. Mike Slawnych and Keith's favourite nurse Patti Gower at the Cardiac Function Clinic at South Health Campus. Sincere gratitude to the team at Unit 57 at the Rockyview General Hospital and the caring staff at the Foothills Country Hospice.

A Private Family Service was held. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled for a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Keith's obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Foothills Country Hospice Society, P.O. Box 274, Okotoks, AB T1S 1S1. Telephone: (403) 995-4673, www.countryhospice.org, or to Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, St. Bonaventure Conference, 1600 Acadia Drive S.E., Calgary, AB, T2J 3B3.

In living memory of Keith Massel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3,  Telephone: 403- 256-9575.