KEATES, Thomas "Tom" Richard - Passed away unexpectedly in the morning on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
Dad was born in December of 1932 in the District of Wellington, Salop, England. Dad's parents, Ernest and Elise, passed away when he was young.
He was brought up by his older sister and brother, Kathy and John, (both predeceased) who he always mentioned with great warmth.
At 19, Dad joined the Royal Air Force where he trained for several years in Bridgenorth, England. Following training he was deployed to Malaya (Seletar and Taiping) in 656 Squadron.
It was in the RAF that he learned his trade as a mechanic and metal body worker.
Soon after returning to the UK, he made the decision to emigrate to Canada.
In the early 1960s he began teaching at Parry Sound High School. He spent the next 35 years in Parry Sound with his wife Joanne (née Donovan) and three children: Brad (Joanne), Joanne (Ken), and Nick (Kate).
He finished his BA in history in the 1970s and was forever active in Parry Sound activities: soccer, hunting, fishing, student activities, the Friendship Centre, the golf course, politics, and the teacher's union - he was always busy.
Dad's early advocacy for vocational and co-op training was one his proudest memories.
Dad retired in his late 50s and lived a full retirement.
His primary passions were his grandchildren: Matt, Laura, Jonathan and Fisher, and great-grandchildren: Callie and Carter. In 2001 Mom and Dad moved to Aurora to be closer to family, they recently moved to Mount Forest for similar reasons.
There will be no public service.
Those interested in making a memorial donation are asked to consider Covenant House Toronto.
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