Obituary of Sean A. Keyes

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Sean A. Keyes, a well-known Saint John family physician, announces his passing which occurred on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Turnbull Nursing Home in Saint John, NB. Born on July 4, 1934 in Curling East (Corner Brook), NFLD, Sean was the oldest of 4 children and the only son of the late Edward B. and Margaret Keyes. Sean is survived by his loving wife, Constance (nee Lacey); his children: Edward (Adrienne) of Saint John, NB, Dr. Elizabeth (Joseph Oliver) of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, Dr. Sean (Jennifer) of Rothesay, NB, Dr. Kelly Manning (Robert) of Saint John, NB, Dr. Paul (Brenda) of Rothesay, NB, Connie Dunnett (Jamie) of Saint John, NB and Sarah, at home. Sean, "Grampy", will be sadly missed by his 20 grandchildren: Meghan, Devin, Rosalind, Stephen, Andrew, David, Emma, Katherine, Maggie, William, Cameron, Christopher, Callum, Anna, Abigael, Rachael, Claire, Sean, Adam and Gregor. He is also survived by his sisters, Noreen Munro of Oshawa, ON and Sheila Sullivan (Arthur) of Saint John, NB; his brother-in-law, Al Lacey (Norma) of Fredericton, NB and his sister-in-law, Anne Darrah (Rob) of Saint John, NB, together with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Sylvia and his daughter, Margaret-Ann. At a young age Sean moved with his family to Sydney, NS where he attended high school at Sydney Academy. He enrolled at St. Francis Xavier University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He completed his Medical degree at Dalhousie University in 1960. After interning in Fredericton he settled in Saint John after meeting Connie, a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. For 49 years, Sean practised family medicine in West Saint John. He thoroughly enjoyed going to work at the "office", whether in the basement of the family home in Greendale or at his Dever Road medical clinic where he practised with his children Elizabeth and Sean for 25 years, before retiring in 2010. He particularly treasured the many friendships he made with his patients, staff and colleagues over the years. Sean was also a familiar face working in the Emergency Departments at St. Joseph’s, the Old General and later, the Saint John Regional Hospital. He was affectionately referred to by the staff and nurses in the emergency rooms as "Papa Keyes". Sean was a Past President of the NB Medical Society and the Saint John Medical Society. He served many years on the Society’s Physicians Health Committee. In 2000 he was awarded Senior Membership in the Canadian Medical Association and in 2002 was awarded the Dr. Garfield Moffatt Medal by the NB Medical Society for excellence in patient care, continuing medical education and community leadership. In 2005 he was awarded a Life Membership in the NB Medical Society. A tireless community volunteer Sean was a past Chairman of the Board of Centracare Inc. and the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. He was also a Past President of the Lancaster Lions Club and a former Chairman of the Saint John District School Board. He was on the founding Board of Hospice Saint John and for many years was a member of the St. Rose Parish Council. A true Newfoundlander who loved social and family gatherings, he was a kind and generous man who would share his advice and wisdom with anyone who sought his help and guidance. Spending time with the love of his life Connie and his children was Sean’s passion. He took many trips over the years visiting lifelong friends in Maine and relatives in Newfoundland. He traveled to St. F.X. often, quietly proud that his children graduated from "X" and wore the X-ring. While he enjoyed hunting, sailing, skiing at Sugarloaf, Maine and family vacations in PEI, it was fishing at Mistake Lake and Island Lake every summer with his boys, sons-in-law, grandsons and close friends that he looked forward to most. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure to know him. The family would like to extend special thanks to Drs. Graham McNeil and Winston Lee and the Nurses and Staff at the Turnbull Nursing Home for the excellent care they provided to Sean over the past few years. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with visitation on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, 541 Milford Road, West Saint John on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sean’s memory may be made to Bobby’s Hospice or Parkinson Canada.