Obituary of Keith Alexander Kingsley

September 26, 1935 – December 25, 2017

With grief and sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of Keith Alexander Kingsley on December 25, 2017 at Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, at 82 years of age.

Keith is survived by Louise, his wife and life partner of 39 years; son Mark Kingsley; granddaughter Aleisha Kingsley; step-granddaughters Jennifer Miller, Sheila Rees and their mother Ellen Kingsley; brother-in-law Dennis Frohlick, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members. Keith was predeceased by his birth parents Bill and Elma Ewan, his adoptive parents Alex (1991) and Cisely (1951) Kingsley, sister Joyce Kirk (2001), and father-in-law and mother-in-law Gabe and Marie Frohlick.

Keith was born on September 26, 1935 to Bill and Elma Ewan near Carragana, Saskatchewan a brother to five-year-old sister Joyce. Keith’s mother died before he was two-years old, and the next few years were spent living with his grandparents north of Frobisher. In 1939, his father married Ruby Paul, a school teacher. Ruby found a job teaching at Sandwell, about 20 miles west of Nipawin, while Bill worked for the Kingsleys and other farmers in the area, and built a farmhouse that they moved into in 1942. That year, Keith’s step-mom took a job in another school district, leaving Keith and his sister Joyce to live alone and take care of hens, a cow and pig. Father Bill travelled wherever he could find work, but came home every few weeks with groceries and to take back crates of eggs that Keith and Joyce had collected. Bill and Ruby started a family in 1943, and that marked the end of Keith’s and Joyce’s relationship with that part of their past. Joyce went to work for another farm family. Keith went to live with Alex and Cisely Kingsley, and was subsequently adopted by them in 1949. Keith helped his Dad Kingsley farm until 1954 when he joined a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool construction crew building annexes on elevators. Over the next few years, he worked for various elevator companies, and even for a veterinarian. In May of 1957, he joined SaskPower at a starting wage of $1.09 an hour, working in rural electrification and oilfield line construction, plus various management positions. 1965 he was actively involved in rebuilding the electrical distribution system in Regina.  In 1978 he and Louise transferred to Saskatoon where he was appointed Assistant District Superintendent. They moved back to Regina in 1982 when Keith accepted the position of Region Manager. He retired from SaskPower in January of 1988. He often recalled his SaskPower years as the best of times. After retirement, Keith started a small landscaping company that he ran for eight years until Louise retired. Keith was a down to earth country boy to the core.

After Mom and Dad Kingsley passed away, Keith continued to help a good friend with seeding and harvesting, until he was no longer physically able to do the work. He loved to get out of town to see how the crops were doing. Over the years, Keith enjoyed golfing, curling, gardening, going to major curling events in Canada, tinkering in the garage, home repairs, reading western books, watching curling on TV, having coffee with friends (one coffee group with former co-workers lasted over 25 years), and volunteering for various agencies. Treasured memories are the years Keith spent volunteering as a team driver and dispatcher for many curling events in Regina, and the fellowship enjoyed with other volunteers and curlers. Keith and Louise enjoyed travelling in their RV for over twenty years, took trips to Hawaii, and cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal. Keith will be remembered for his love of family and wide circle of friends; his story-telling about people and events from his working career and life experiences; his witty sense of humor, constant smile and special laugh; his ability to easily make friends and maintain friendships for many decades; the nicknames he had for co-workers and acquaintances (each one with its own story); and his work ethic, honesty and fairness. A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Salvation Army, Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, 50 Angus Road, Regina S4R 8P6; Regina Palliative Care and Bereavement Centre, #200 – 2150 Scarth Street, Regina S4P 2H7; or a charity of your choice