Obituary of Upton Joseph Keays

It is with tremendous sadness that the family of Upton Joseph Keays announces his passing on March 23, 2018 at the age of 72.   From his hospital bed at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton, NB, Joe watched his final hockey game and assured his Doctor that his beloved Tampa Bay Lightning boys would win the Stanley Cup this season.

By his side, when he died, was his wife Stella, who honoured the vows of marriage “for better, for worse, in sickness and in health” for over 45 years. Stella’s love for Joe was unconditional.

Joe was born in Sussex, NB  to parents, Anne (Murphy) and Joseph Keays (Priest Pond, PE) on the very last day of 1945. His birthdays had the usual cake and balloons and he loved the fire works, midnight kisses and Auld Lang Syne that celebrated his birth. But he was too humble to ever tell you that it was his birthday.

Joe didn’t get to spend his last winter on the porch of their Florida home but the “hockey network package” helped ease the transition back to the world of real winter

Joe joined the Navy as a signal man in 1963.  He took a trip to Fredericton to visit friends while he was on leave and never left.  He quickly found work at Lounsbury Industrial where he remained until he decided to go out on his own with Snap On Tools.  He quickly realized as an entrepreneur there just wasn’t enough time to socialize with friends and play golf and hockey.  Joe found his real calling working with troubled teens through Corrections with the Province of New Brunswick and finished his working career with Public Safety.

Left to miss “our” Joe, are his wife, Stella (Tabor) Keays; his mother-in-law June Tabor of Sussex, NB;  siblings: George (Kay) Keays of Sussex, NB, Margaret (Bill) Robinson of Fredericton, NB, Dean (Shirley) Keays of Hampton, NB, Don (Lorraine) Keays of St. Lambert, QC and Dorothy Keays of Halifax NS; brother-in-law Walter Tabor of New Line, NB; sisters-in law Lorraine (Norman) Pollock of Wards Creek, NB, Christina (Dennis) Graves of Rothesay, NB, Linda Tabor of New Line, NB; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and his special Godson, Scott Whitters. Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by his father-in-law Reginald Tabor; brother-in-law Raymond Ouellette and his beloved Shelties; Barney, Yentle and Baillie.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex NB (506-433-1176).  A celebration of Joe’s Life will be held on April 21st from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club, 148 Picadilly Road, Picadilly, NB, where Joe and Stella hosted their wedding reception in 1972.

It was Joe’s request that he be remembered through donations made in his memory to The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, Fredericton, NB (506-452-5753).  Condolences to the family and donations may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com

“Keep Your Stick on the Ice, Joe”