Kenneth Charles Keast
December 16, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Kenneth Charles Keast, with his beloved wife by his side, on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at home. He was in his 93rd year. Ken is survived by his loving wife Jane Kelders-Keast; his daughters Janine (John) and Jane (Rob); grandchildren Katie, Patrick, Joanna, Alexa and Nic; his sister Marlene Horlick and by Jane Kelders’ brothers and sisters and their families. He is predeceased by four siblings. Ken was a founding member of Ford Keast Chartered Accountants. He was very involved in his local community. Ken enjoyed golfing with his wife, family and friends and was a member of the Sunningdale Golf & Country Club. He always enjoyed family gatherings and conversations with his grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews! We would like to thank the Medical Team of Doctors, Nurses, and PSW’s at University Hospital and Parkwood Institute. He was always treated with compassion!
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Ken’s life will be held at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 280 St. James Street, London on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Private family interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Diabetes Canada or the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be greatly appreciated.
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Dear Jane, it is so difficult to lose a parent, so sorry to hear about your father. Our thoughts are with you & your family. With deepest condolences to Jane & the Keast family. Sincerely, Gilles & Hope
My uncle KEN (by marriage), but no matter he was my uncle KEN. A wonderful man to me, who opened up my entry into the cabinetry business (CARDINAL FINE CABINETRY) which I ran for 40 years until my retirement nine years ago. His early guidance and phenomenal support were always appreciated and every time I saw him, I greeted him as Uncle KEN. He was a very entrepreneurial fellow and spent little time in the practice of accounting. He was a great recruiter and laid the cornerstones for the well-respected firm that Ford Keast is today. A great family man who loved his daughters and found time to be supportive of me during my tenure in the cabinet business. I will miss him greatly and that little chuckle in his eye and his support throughout the years. He was a wonderful human being and may he now rest in peace. My condolences to the family.
George and I offer our condolences to you Jane and to Ken’s daughters Janine and Jane. We have been neighbours for 26 years and we have had a few good laughs. Rest In Peace dear Ken.
Sending our condolences. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
My most sincere condolences to Ken’s wife Jane, his daughters (Janine, Jill, and Jane), grandchildren, and families. Uncle Ken was a very kind and generous man. I will always be thankful for him having taken my mother, brother and myself into his home many years ago, showing much understanding , love and compassion when we were most in need. I have very fond memories of his sense of humour, his spontaneous laugh, and his love for jellybeans. Uncle Ken, you will be missed by all, may you now rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss Jane. I remember Ken from company Christmas parties when I was married to Alan Brown (who recently passed away). Jane, we had many fond memories of curling. Cherish all you wonderful memories.
A donation has been made to Diabetes Canada. Message from the donator: We were all very saddened to learn of Ken's passing. He was an instrumental person in the founding of Ford Keast and was a valued colleague and confidante of our Dad, Bob Ford. We all remember how kind and friendly Ken was when we would visit the office - he was always interested to learn what we were up to. His passing is a huge loss. Our sincere condolences to the entire family on Ken's passing. Our thoughts are with you. Craig, Scott, Mike and David Ford and our families.
Dear Jane and Keast family. We were sorry to learn of our former partner, Ken. Our sincerere condolences on your loss. May you be comforted in cherished memories and and a good long life to celebrate. At Ford Keast, we often think of Robert (Bob) Ford (passed 2013) and Ken Keast of the founders of our firm, although they started from a small practice of Foote & Rafuse, originating in 1928. Bob Ford joined that firm in 1950 and Ken Keast joined in 1951. By the late 1950's the firm would have evolved into Ford, Keast. Some of their partners in those early years included Ken Giles in 1964, Peter Smith in 1971, and the Late Jack Phillips in 1973. Together under the leadership of senior partners, Bob and Ken, they continued to grow Ford Keast into a respected public accounting firm in London. Ken Keast had a entreprenurial spirit and as I recall was also a respected member of the Board of Directors of National Trust, for many years, prior to its acquistion by Scotia Bank in 1997. Ken Keast retired from the practice in 1990. I still get kind enquiries from our current older client base asking about how Ken Keast is doing as they appreciated his guidance and friendship in their business in years past. At Ford Keast, we are proud of our long heritage and the principals on which Ken Keast and Bob Ford established the foundation of our firm. May the continued success of the firm be a proud legacy of the professional career of Ken Keast. KIndest regards, Michael A. Scott FCPA, Partner of Ford Keast LLP.
Services for Kenneth Charles Keast
Celebration of Life will be held at:
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church
280 St. James Street,
London, Ontario
December 21, 2023 11:00 am
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Dear Jane, Please accept my sincerest sympathies on this sad occasion. During your years together you brought so much joy and happiness in Ken’s life. May God bless you.
~ Bill Glover