Dennis Theodore Keis
Mar. 12, 1949 – Sept. 10, 2024
We are sad to announce that Dennis passed away September 10, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Moira, two children, Jennifer and Jason (Tiffaney) and three sisters, Laura (Rudy), Arlene and Charlotte as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was born on March 12, 1949 in Abbotsford and spent his youth in Quesnel. He had many interests growing up including playing drums in a marching band and playing hockey.
After obtaining his bachelor degree in education from UBC he began his 33 year career in Mission where he taught math, science, automotive shop and computers. During this time he furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s degree from Western Washington University. He was an early adopter of computer technology and had an instrumental role in setting up computers and providing computer education to Mission District staff. Dennis ended his career as Mission Teacher Union president.
Dennis embraced retirement life with a move to Gabriola in 2011 to be close to the ocean and nature. He was adventurous and took many incredible trips with Moira both in North America and worldwide. They both shared a love of hiking, kayaking, scuba diving and camping.
Dennis was a sports enthusiast. His biggest love was hockey. He did not let his injuries and illness stand in his way from being on the ice. One of the highlights of his hockey ‘career’ was taking a motorcycle trip to California in 2015 with hockey friends and teammates to participate in the Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament.
Dennis participated in other sports playing pickleball on Gabriola. He was the pickleball coordinator for several years. He was also a big fan of watching football and enjoyed trips with family to watch the BC Lions and Seattle Seahawks. On his last trip to Seattle he had a memorable on-the-field experience with his son Jason.
Dennis loved his classic cars especially his 1927 Willy’s Overland Whippet. He belonged to two car clubs – the Gabriola Cruisers and the Vintage Car Club of Canada Nanaimo Chapter. In July he organized and led the Gabriola Cruisers in their Canada Day parade around the island.
Family meant the world to Dennis. He took pride in bringing extended family together through organizing large family reunions and putting together the Keis family tree.
Family traditions were important to Dennis as reflected in his yearly Christmas light display which brought holiday cheer to his neighbours and other islanders.
Our family will miss him greatly and will continue to fulfill his legacy of ensuring family spends quality time together. He faced cancer with courage and determination. He chose to participate in a clinical trial with both hope of more time to enjoy his life and loved ones and to make a difference for those in the future facing prostate cancer.
Thank you to the wonderful healthcare providers that cared for Dennis over the years with a special heartfelt thanks to the Nanaimo Regional Hospital Palliative Care team who so compassionately provided care to Dennis and his family during his last few days.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
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