November 17, 1944 to November 2, 2023
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Keith Edward Meagher at the age of 78.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Annette (Gillis); and their children: Dr. Michelle Meagher (Dr. Jeff Stepnisky), and granddaughter Nora of Edmonton; Brian Meagher (My Nguyen), of Calgary and the Crowsnest Pass; Dr. Karen Meagher (Paul Dechene), and grandchildren Ada and Dashiell of Regina, and David Meagher, of Vancouver. He is also survived by his brother, Kimble (Darlene) of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia; sister, Glenda of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia; brother, Jerome (Rose), and their children, of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia. Keith’s large extended family includes brothers, and sisters-in-law (Rosemary MacDonald, Jessie and Winston McMullen, Lorna, and Joe MacDonald, Donald Gillis, Michael and Darlene Gillis, Paula, and Ron L’Esperance, and Bernie O’Neill); nieces, nephews, and cousins who live across the country. He had many dear friends in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and beyond.
Besides his parents, Keith was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth; his brother-in-law, Buddy MacDonad; sisters-in-law, Catherine MacDonald, and Margaret O’Neill; nephew, Mike Gillis; and most recently, by his lifelong friend, Dr. Leonard O’Neil.
Keith was the first of 5 children born to Edward and Margaret (Bowie) Meagher, in the once-bustling town of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia. He completed a Diploma in Engineering at St. Francis Xavier University, where he met the love and light of his world, Annette. They married in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia shortly after he completed his Degree in Civil Engineering at Nova Scotia Technical College, in Halifax. Always adventurous, Keith and Annette lived in Schefferville PQ, Havelock NB, Woodstock ON, Winnipeg MB, and settled in St. Albert, Alberta in the early 1980s.
He worked as a civil engineer, but found plenty of time for outdoor activities, hijinks, and volunteerism. Keith contributed to his community as a volunteer for the St. Albert Food Bank, team manager for the Stanley Pumpers old timers hockey team, the United Way, and Alberta PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities). He was a past member of the Board of Directors at NAIT and the Royal Canadian Mint. Keith’s greatest joy was his family. He was immensely proud of his children and quick to share their accomplishments, especially when it came to higher education, which he valued and encouraged. In addition to his family, Keith found his greatest pleasure in traveling country roads, camping, canoeing, woodworking, and seeing the prairie landscape. He would never say no to a lobster supper.
Many will know him as a man who faced physical challenges; those closest to Keith will know that he stubbornly refused to concede to any obstacle. Until just a few years ago, he could often be found riding his recumbent bicycle on the trails at Namao or cross-country skiing at River Lot 56. We are heartbroken to know that his days on the trails have come to an end.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Albert Funeral Home, 9 Muir Drive. The service will be livestreamed for friends and family who are unable to attend.
In lieu of flowers, we would invite you to donate to your local Food Bank.
Sincere thanks to the daily caregivers who enabled Keith to live comfortably at home with Annette for the last 8 months, and to the staff at the Misericordia Hospital, especially Dr. Nath and the CCU, for their compassionate care.
Ferry the dead. Fois do t’anam. Peace to his soul. All of us are better when we’re loved.
- Alistair McLeod
To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel
(780) 468-2222
