Contributions to the tribute of Keith Harold Joseph Jewell

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Monday, December 3, 2018

I wanted to share some of my memories as a tribute to Keith. When I was a young buck, basically from about 6 years old onward, Keith's son Kaleb and I were best buds and practically inseparable, so it's no secret that Keith had a HUGE positive influence on my life. Truth be told, from about 1982 onward, and for probably the next 10 years I would've actually seen Keith far more often than I saw my own dad. And because of that, I was fortunate enough to tag along on many of Keith and Kaleb's father-son type adventures. I'd go to watch Kaleb play soccer games while Keith was coaching. I never actually played soccer though, so I'd just hang out on the sidelines trying to eat the occasional orange slice that was supposed to be for the players, but Keith never got mad. Keith would take us to Sauble Beach, Sherkston Beach, camping, hanging out all day at the water slide parks…the outdoors-y, fun stuff that kids really need and love to do. Of the many things that I remember most about Keith, I think he was always great at just letting us kids be kids. Simple things like hosting chili dog or taco nights (which I had never even tried before I ate them with Keith and Cheryl. YUM!), Kaleb's birthday parties at the Silver Screen to eat popcorn and watch cool movies on a huge, but totally private screen – this was long before big screen TVs, DVDs or even VCRs and watching movies at home were the norm. He'd take us to the Toronto motorcycle shows, which fueled the dream of future motorcycle rides – I ride a motorcycle every day I possibly can now and I know he was a great influence on that too. Keith helped Kaleb and I build full-sized skim boards in his backyard and would then be right there beside us at the beach trying them out himself…he even went along with our grandiose plans of starting our own company, 'M-Bear-Assed Designs Skimboards'. One time he actually saved my life driving in one of his cool old Monte Carlo's (I can't remember if it was in the red one or the black one). Kaleb and I were sitting in the front seat with Keith (which you could still legally do with young kids back in those days) and as we turned a corner the massive door flew open, and I guess I was so small at the time I started sliding right out of the seat belt and was on my way out the door. And without thinking or taking his eyes off the road, he reached over in a flash and grabbed me and held onto me until we made it around the corner and everyone could compose themselves. Anyone who knew Keith knew there was always music in his house (and it was usually really loud and really crisp!!!). I remember he had a cool vinyl collection with top-quality turntable needles, huge speakers and cool hi-fi equipment. Keith was the one who took Kaleb and I to our first real concert; The Who in 1989. He also took us to see Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck and Jeff Healey in concert. I started playing guitar not too much longer after that and have been playing music in some form ever since. My knowledge of The Who, The Band, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Lynnyrd Skynnrd, The Allman Brothers Band, David Wilcox, The Ramones, Iron Maiden, Yes, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Eric Clapton, King Crimson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc., etc. all came from him. So when I started playing in a band, it meant a lot to me when Keith and Cheryl came out to see us play a gig at the Dickens in Burlington…in hindsight it was almost like Keith's musical influence had come full circle for me and I had turned it into a passion of my own. It's sad how life gets in the way of old connections, and too much time passes before you see certain people…you know how life goes as you get older, distance, speed of life, day-to-day responsibilities…before you know it years have flown by. I hadn't seen Keith in a few years and am most regretful that I didn't get a chance to tell him personally how much I appreciated his many kindnesses to me over the years, but I'm very thankful that I got to be with Kaleb and the family to send Keith off on his final journey with much love and, as most people who played a part in Keith's story would agree, I definitely feel blessed to have had Keith be a part of my life. Rave on Keith!!! Steve ('Little Stevie')

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Anna Tahatakis posted a condolence

Thursday, November 15, 2018

To The Jewell Family, Susan,,,,, My Deepest and Sincere condolences to you in the Loss of Keith. I am remembering him with lots of good thoughts... May God watch over him..... Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.. Love leaves a Memory no one can steal... Anna Tahatakis Lasalle , P.Q.

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Lee Inkster posted a symbolic gesture

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

We shared a love of Cocker Spaniels!

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The family of Keith Harold Joseph Jewell uploaded a photo

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

In loving memory of

Keith

1952 - 2018