Obituary of Dr. Wilbert J Keon

Dr. Wilbert Joseph Keon passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the age of 83 in the Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus. 

Dr. Keon’s personal accomplishments and contributions to his community and country are too numerous to list.  Highlights include: founder and retired Director General of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, retired Conservative Senator of almost 20 years (appointed by Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney), Officer of the Order of Canada (appointed by Gov. Gen Jeanne Sauvé), Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (appointed by Pope John Paul II).     

He was born in Sheenboro, QC, on May 17, 1935, the youngest of 13 children to Lawrence Keon and Loretta Ryan. 

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Anne Keon (nee Jennings), still the love of his life after almost 60 years of marriage.  His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law Dr. Claudia Keon and Dr. Mark Field; parents of Jack (age 20), Christopher (age 15), Ethan (age 14), and Sean (age 8); son Neil and daughter-in-law Debbie Loeb, parents to Sam (age 9) and Rosie (age 3); and son Ryan and daughter-in-law Cindy Tomlinson, parents to William (age 19) and Emily (age 17).     

Dr. Keon is also survived by his sisters Maisie (late Christy Gleason) and Lorna (Delbert Sloan), and was predeceased by brothers Alvin (Clarella), Clayton (Lolita), Claude (Mae), Mike (Francoise), Dr. Harold (Nora), John (Lyse) and sisters Carmel (Bill Crilly), Mardie (Frank Carroll); Donna (Don Ackehurst) and Loretta. He was a loving Uncle to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.   

Funeral service will be held in St. Patrick’s Basilica, 220 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 10 a.m.  followed by a reception.   A second funeral service will be held in St. Paul the Hermit Church, Sheenboro, Quebec on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a reception in the parish hall.  In honour of Dr. Keon, donations may be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Hayes Funeral Homes, Shawville, Quebec.  Online condolences may be made at hayesfuneralhome.ca