JOHN KEAST

1921 - 2012

John Edward Vincent Keast, born October 14, 1921 in London, England, passed away in Taber on Friday, January 13, 2012 at the age of 90 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, January 16, 2012 between 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with Bishop Ken Holst conducting.
John is survived by his beloved wife Katherine “Kay” Keast and their children Jude Keast (Helen Nelson) of Toronto, Philip Keast of Edmonton, Caroline (Simon) Tang of Vancouver and Linda van Voorthuizen of Toronto; grandchildren Kathy, Brenda, Giorgi, Philip, Iain, Alastair and Sophia.
John served in WWII in the Royal Navy, most notably as an observer with Fleet Air Arm Squadron 835 on board H.M.S. Nairana. He remained in the Navy after the war where he began his career as an educator, serving as a Lieutenant-Instructor.
John immigrated to Canada in 1954 ahead of his growing family, where he continued his life as a teacher in a civilian setting. As he taught, he also learned, earning a Bachelor of Arts by correspondence from London University (England) and a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Teacher Librarianship from the University of Alberta. He completed his career in education as Teacher Librarian at W.R. Myers High School.
In retirement this experience informed his interest in continuing and distance education. He served as a founding board member of Access Alberta, which has brought educational opportunities to thousands who would normally be deprived of the same.
Although lacking a more typical sense of humour, he made up for it with a gift for storytelling and mimicry which was taken from him tragically after his second bout of throat cancer. He soldiered on however with a perseverance that is an example to all of us. John will be sorely missed.
The family extends a grateful thank you to all the staff of the Taber and District Health Centre, Extended Care Unit for their dedicated and loving care over the last few months.