Sydney
The family of Thornton Van Buren Keith, 90, son of Van Buren and Martha (Cass) Keith, are saddened to announce that our patriarch died on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at the Cove Guest Home, where he resided for the last two years.
Thornton was a gregarious character who spoke to everyone he came across. He worked for the beauty industry selling beauty products across the Maritimes. Thornton made friends wherever he travelled. Even though Lewy-Body Dementia took the full extent of his engaging social sparkle away, he never lost the ability to make someone’s day by telling them how beautiful they are.
Thornton generously gave his time to community service and worked tirelessly for the MS Society. Literally hundreds of MS Christmas Cakes flew out of his house every holiday season! He was a lifetime member of the United Commercial Travellers. Thornton loved his volunteer time (Special Olympics, etc.) and social connections with the UCT. The family is grateful to its membership who always kept in touch with him.
Thornton volunteered at his churches in Sydney – first the Sydney United Baptist Church and then United Heritage Church. He and his wife, Marg, were responsible for leading the campaign to provide a wheelchair lift at his church, as well as supporting the acquisition and use of the audio-visual equipment. For many years, he was a familiar figure with Sydney Minor Hockey.
Thornton was predeceased by his wife Margaret, who he was devoted to and cared for during her long time living with MS. He was also predeceased by son, Jamie (Sydney); brothers, Theodore and Edmund; sisters, Ginevra and Constance (all of New Brunswick).
Thornton is survived by children, Bruce (Rosemary Godin), Sydney, Greg, Calgary, Cheryl Keith-Lothier, Sydney, and David (Nadine MacKinnon), Halifax; grandchildren, Andrew Lothier, Jonathan Lothier, and Derek (Leigha) Lothier, Sydney, and Kaden Keith, Halifax; great-grandchildren, Landon Lothier and Sadie Grace Lothier; sisters, Marjorie and Nara (New Brunswick).
The family is eternally grateful to all the staff at the Cove and to Dr. Archibald for their care of Thornton both before and during his time living among them. He was a bigger-than-life personality, and we cherish both our memories, and all those who called him friend.
There will be no visitation for the late Thornton Keith. Memorial service will take place on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier with Rev. Allan MacLellan officiating. Reception will follow the service and interment will take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney.
For those unable to attend, Live Streaming will be available on our website.
Click Here: https://www.facebook.com/35925689617/live/
Donations in memory of Thornton may be made to the MS Society of Cape Breton or the Cove Guest Home Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
I would like to extend sincere condolences to the Keith family on the passing of Thornton. My mother Julia Young who operated Franlies in North Sydney for years before her passing thought the world of Thornton as a friend and business associate.. I would often drive to Sydney to pick up much needed supplies mom had unexpectedly run out of. Thornton would always greet me with a big smile and and a greeting for mom. He was a nice guy!
From: Brian Young
I was and am very distressed about hearing this news and the fact that I cannot attend the memorial. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers
From: Shirley Ann MacNeil
I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Thornton. He was such a dear, kind man and a wonderful friend to my mom, Joan. He will be missed.
My thoughts are with you.
My sincerest condolences to the Keith family on the passing of great Uncle Thornton. Though i may not have known him well, I did know of his devotion to family and friends. I am glad tho have seen him during Theodore and Marie’s 65 weeding anniversary. God bless.
Bruce and family: So very sorry to hear of Thornton’s passing. He was so full of personality and his contributions to the church and the community were exemplary. He will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.
In my early career as a stylist I dealt with Thornton a lot until I moved to Halifax. He was always a kind, sweet and very helpful man. Sorry to hear of his passing. He was the type of person that you don’t forget.
As a Past President of the UCT Atlantic Regional Council and friend of UCT Cape Breton Council 883 I had the pleasure of having met and known Brother Thornton many times. A great guy, loving and friendly.
Sincere condolences to his family and friends. May he R.I.P. 🙏
I have very fond memories of your Dad. My Mom, Johanna Beaton was a hairdresser in Glace Bay and he would visit her shop. She always called him Keith not Thorton. It is funny because many suppliers came to her shop but Keith is the only one I remember.
Your Dad was a wonderful man and a true gentle man . Sincere condolences to your family. JoAnne(Beaton)Campbell
Dear Bruce, Greg, Cheryl, David and families, we are sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing and send our sincere condolences to all of you during this very sad time. We have many fond memories of you all when we lived in Truro at the corner of Lyman and Centennial Drive. Also when your Dad travelled to Truro from Sydney he would stay with us for a couple of days at a time. Your Mom & Dad were wonderful neighbors. Keeping you all in our thougts and prayers. from both of us, Graeme & Glenda Hollis, (former neighbors in Truro.
I didn’t know Thornton, but I felt like I knew him from the many stories I have heard from Dave! I am so very sorry for your family’s loss. I wish so much that I had met Thornton… I know I would have loved him! He sounded like such a kind, charming, entertaining & wonderful man. Just like his son Dave, one of my favorite people in this world. With heartfelt sympathy & love! ❤️
Thank-you for showing me the ways of the great fresh lobster, the authentic pizza we will order and eat at your place, family dinners at your fav restaurants, and what it means to to dedicate your lives to each other through great difficulties with a sense of joy and laughter. If santa was real it was you all all along, that silver white hair I’d never forget always cracking jokes, yet dedicated by putting his back to take care of the love of his life. Fun times yes.