It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Robert George Keel at 73 years old after a battle with dementia. Bob is survived by his daughters Stacea (Keith), Alyssa, and five grandchildren as well as his two sisters. Bob is predeceased by his beloved wife Penny.

Born in St. Catharines in 1950, Bob was the first in his family to attend university, gaining a Bachelor of Arts from Brock University followed by a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School before being called to the bar in 1977. Bob appeared before all levels of the Courts and was a regular speaker at conferences as well as publishing over 100 articles and papers in addition to several books. In 2015, Bob received the Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development Center Award in recognition of his contributions to the Osgoode Continuing Legal Education Programs.

In 1970, Bob met Penny Banks while volunteering to build a secondary school in Bequia, a small Caribbean island. In July 1972, they married and moved to Toronto so Bob could pursue his law degree. Bob and Penny enjoyed travelling together, visiting Asia, South America, Canada, America, and Europe, with frequent trips to Italy, their favourite place to visit.

In 2012, Bob and Penny celebrated 40 years of marriage by traveling with the family to Newfoundland, proudly sharing Bob’s father’s heritage with their three grandsons. Bob and Penny were very generous, volunteering and giving back when they could. Bob volunteered with and sat on the Board of Directors of Toronto Christian Resource Center in Regent Park and volunteered with the Rupert project, a coalition of Toronto residents who successfully developed safe and affordable housing in the wake of the Rupert Hotel tragedy.

Bob was a huge fan of science fiction, particularly Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who. Bob was fascinated and enthralled by history, anthropology, geology, and nature. Bob loved to take long walks and bike rides and often would plan elaborate bike trips for Penny and him to take. Bob was a lover of music, particularly Chicago, the Beatles, Meatloaf, Eagles, Rolling Stones, and Elvis, the latter he infamously dressed up as for Penny’s fortieth birthday. Bob was known for making jokes and his chuckle-like laugh.

Bob greatly enjoyed art and collected Indigenous art, particularly that of Morrisseau. Bob and Penny enjoyed frequent trips to the Art Gallery of Ontario and McMichael Gallery. Bob and Penny spent many hours visiting museums and art galleries all over the world.

One of Bob’s greatest joys was being a grandfather and spending time with all five grandkids, particularly if it involved eating gelato.

Bob will be dearly missed by family, friends, and colleagues.

“Goodbye old friend, and may the force be with you.” Obi-Wan Kenobi

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or Daily Bread Food Bank. Links can be found in the upper righthand corner of this page.