(1938-2024)
Our hearts are broken as our patriarch, Keith Size 85 years of age, passed away on his beloved Manitoulin Island on January 5, 2024. Survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Kathy Size and his children who adored him, Kari Murphy (Don), Kelly Size (Gus) Kris, Joe, Jerry, Marlena and Angel. He was a foster parent to 181 foster children, adopting 3 and permanent foster parent to Mary Beth predeceased and Angel. He was an adored grandfather to Kathryn, Noah, Patrick, Ashley,Tiffany, Dylan, Carly, Keitha, Raven, Scott, Kaylin, Shawn, Zoe, Shelby, Tomas, Claire, Mirea, Jayden, Maveryck, Leila and Copeland and 5 great grandchildren Emilia, Adelaide, Maeve, Elsa and Kai.
He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Hazel (Luscombe) Size. He will be forever loved and missed by his sister Marlene Howard in Arizona and predeceased by siblings Kerry (Anne), Randy (Jann) and sister Dawn as well as his sister and brother in laws, many cousins and nieces and nephews. He was a well respected OPP officer serving in Mindemoya and Sudbury for 30 years retiring in 1997. He supported his community over the years as Lions Club president, volunteering at the food bank, hockey trainer for the Manitoulin Panthers and a brother of the Masonic Lodge.
He spent the last 6 and a half months at the Mindemoya Hospital living with dementia but he still could beat you at cribbage up to the end. He was a fighter after a bad fall landed him in the Sudbury hospital in 2017 for 100 days but he persevered. There were very few men who could take the pain he dealt with and never complained. He was truly superman for his whole family. He loved the island, live music, hunting, fishing, woodworking, playing guitar, writing songs, travelling and visiting friends. He was a man with many stories even if he would sometimes take forever to get to the ending. He loved to sit around a fire and play guitar and sing songs. He loved to make everyone around him laugh. He had a tender side that many were able to get to know but a tough exterior if need be. He made many friends over the years and loved to share stories of their adventures together. It is with great sorrow to see him go but we will never forget him. Their favourite song, Could I Have This Dance by Anne Murray, came on the computer just moments before he took his final breath and we knew that he was saying "goodbye til we can dance again" to his one true love Kathy.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Mindemoya Hospital for their compassion, professionalism, understanding and care they gave to him during his stay. Dr Sebastien, Dr Harelnikava, Dr Reid, Dr Mitchell and to the nurses and locums, we thank you all. There will be a celebration of life in the summer and cremation has already taken place.
He is off on another adventure, with his best friend Bill Sears, likely travelling down Route 66 into the sunset...
Cremation services provided by Simple Wishes of the North, Sudbury.