Keith Brown

Brown, Roy Keith (November 07, 1926 – July 07, 2015) – With heavy hearts, the family of Keith Brown announces his passing on July 7th, 2015 at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre after a brief illness. In his 89th year, Keith lived a life filled with love, laughter and generosity, shared with his beloved wife Marjorie for almost sixty years. Marjorie passed in 2005 and since that time, Keith has honoured her memory by guiding their large and loving extended family with commitment to the values they shared. A deeply loved Patriarch, he will be forever missed by his three daughters, and their families; Jewell and Daryl Bennett, their children Robb (Pat) Bennett, David (Crista) Bennett, Julie (Dave) Hamblin, grandchildren, Stephanie, Stacy, Daryl, Dallin, and Danica Bennett, Bennett and Rachael Hamblin; Janice and Fabian Gorodzinsky, their children David (Chelsea) Burden and Adina (Jeff) Burden; Rosemary and David Ramey, their children Peter Ramey, Lauren Ramey, and Elizabeth (Scott) Cosgrove. Predeceased by his parents Roy and Debbie Brown, sister Marjorie (Gordon) Gay, and survived by his sister Audrey (Harold) Chambers, Marjorie’s family, Jean and Jim Pollock, Pat and Frank Kapuscinski, Reta (Tom) Wallace and Mae (Burton) Wallace.

He will also be remembered, with affection, by his many nieces, nephews and cousins. Born November 7th, 1926, Keith was a prominent figure in the Peterborough community for over sixty-five years, moving here with Marjorie from the Campbellford-Marmora area to raise their family and build a business whose foundation created a large network of successful operations. Most notably, Keith was a car dealer whose customer base spanned multiple generations of Peterborough area families. His engaging and warm approach as well as his sincere wish to satisfy his customers was legendary; he loved closing a deal. Keith mentored and financially enabled many to establish their own businesses. During his political career in the Ontario Legislature as a Conservative MPP from 1959-1967; Keith loved serving the people of the Peterborough riding, bringing growth and development to the entire area. As a Shriner, Jester and Mason, Keith provided leadership and support to these fraternal organizations and many others. A lifelong and generous member of Mark St. United Church, Keith held positions on the Board of Stewards, Board of Trustees and Session, sharing important friendships with all the United Church Ministers who served the congregation. They valued his wise counsel and trusted his guidance like so many others. Keith will be remembered as an optimistic, energetic, astute and kind man with a sincere willingness to listen and help others. A skilled storyteller, he captivated others with his recollections of business dealings in rural Ontario, practical jokes and amusing reflections on a life well-lived. Resilient and strong to the very end, Keith will be deeply missed by his family and a large circle of friends whose lives have been enriched by the example he set as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and confidante.

Keith’s children are grateful for the excellent care provided by the staff at Canterbury Gardens, his home for the past four years. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the other residents and felt moving there was one of the best decisions he had ever made. Keith appreciated two very important physicians without whom his independence and longevity would not have been possible; cardiologist Dr. Hughes and family physician Dr. Kilmartin. The family will also always remember the excellent care he received from Dr. J. Rowsom and the entire Nursing Team in the Intensive Care and Surgical Constant Care Units at PRHC during the past week. Visitation will be held at the Comstock Funeral Home, 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough on Sunday, July 12th, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. There will be a Masonic Service at 6:45 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Mark St. United Church, 90 Hunter Street East, Peterborough on Monday, July 13th, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.Rev. Dr. Hal Wilson, Rev. Dr. Donovan Brown and Rev. Dr. Barry Day will be officiating. Interment to follow at Highland Park Cemetery. Donations in his memory can be directed to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre or Mark St. United Church, Peterborough.