Obituary of Chris Keel

It is with profound shock and sadness that we, the family, announce the death of Christopher Wayne Keel (Chris), age 39, of Fort McMurray, Alberta, on January 4th in Fort McMurray after a short and sudden illness. 

Chris was born in Little Bras d’Or, Nova Scotia to Larry and Bev Keel on April 15th, 1984.  He went to high school at Memorial High in Sydney Mines and graduated in 2002.  He attended St. Mary’s University and then went on to earn a Network System Administrator certificate from CDI in Halifax. After working in Halifax for a few years, he went to start a life in Fort McMurray. He held various positions with Syncrude and then in 2016, he became a very well-respected Team Leader for Suncor in procurement.  Over the years working in Fort McMurray, he worked with a host of people, many of whom became great friends.  In 2018 he married Amy-Lee Downey, and they had two beautiful girls.

In his younger years, Chris was a member of the Beaver troop, was an altar server at his church in Bras d’Or and played on local baseball and basketball teams. Throughout his life, he loved to fish, golf and was an avid camper which he continued to do with his girls.  He loved music and loved hosting get-togethers with friends.  He enjoyed watching baseball and hockey, especially when there was a Blue Jays or Leafs game on.  Chris was a great cook who enjoyed sharing recipes with friends and family.  His ribs were over-the top!  He loved planning family vacations and was always eager to attend any family reunions or get-togethers.  He was proud to be a member of the Masons.  Chris was a family man and above all else, he enjoyed spending quality time with his two precious daughters.  They were his pride and joy. 

He is survived by his wife, Amy-Lee; two daughters, Hadley and Taylor; dog, Pacey; parents, Larry and Bev (Reashor); sister, Amanda (Evan MacNeil); father and mother-in-law, Skip and Sandy Downey; sister-in law, Holly Downey (Matt Organ); niece, Ophelia; nephew, Charles; and many aunts, uncles and cousins and brothers at heart Shawn and Kyle.  He will also be sadly missed by godparents, Roger and Monique Gallant and many special dear friends. 

He is predeceased by both his paternal and maternal grandparents, Ches and Florence Keel and step grandfather, Ted Burton and Theresa and Maurice Reashor. 

Robert Anderson Funeral Services Inc will be handling arrangements.  Cremation will follow a visitation, with a celebration of life at a later date in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

The family wishes to extend gratitude to the doctors and nurses at the ICU unit at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.  Special thanks to cousin Maureen Reashor and other family members who stayed at the hospital in vigil while waiting for immediate family members to arrive.