It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Delmar Graham McKee on March 15, 2016 at Maison Vale Hospice at the age of 65. After a courageous three-year battle with cancer he is now resting peacefully with his son Ian and grandson Kane.
Beloved son of Annette McKee (Dumont), Courtney McKee (predeceased) and step son of Tony Dubé (predeceased). Loving husband of 44 years and best friend to Jeannette McKee (Ruest) and inspiration to his children Sheri-Lynn Marshall (Dave), Cathy Pichette (Ernie) and Joanne McKee (Bobby Chaumont). He was a great role model to his grand-children Hailey, Miranda, Jackson, Emilie, Jamie, Sawyer, Cassidy, Dalton and Paisley. Dear brother of Ken (Mary), Denis (Elaine) and predeceased by Bruce (Anita). Dear son-in-law of Raymond and Rollande (Bourgeault) Ruest, and exceptional brother-in-law of Denise (Lee Johnston), Henri Ruest (Pauline), Nicole (Jacques Charette), Rose Dubois (Robin Zola), Céline Ruest (James Bittle), Rachel (Robert Desjardins), André Ruest (predeceased) (Linda Dugas) and J-C Ruest (Carrie). He will also be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews who looked up to him and thought of him as a mentor and fishing legend.
Delmar’s love of the great outdoors was infectious. He spent all of his free time fishing, hunting and trapping with his sidekick and young apprentice Brook. Being a lumberjack was his life. He spent 30 years logging as well as teaching and training safety and injury prevention. He then brought his skills and knowledge to the Day Construction Team where he was treated like one of the family and will be missed by his many co-workers and friends. He truly enjoyed mentoring the young labourers that looked up to him as a wise and trusted advisor.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Bartholomew Church (30 Church Street, Levack) on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at the Cartier Community Centre (Lansdowne Street, Cartier, ON). Monetary gifts will be accepted towards the Delmar McKee Bursary (for student trade apprenticeships).
To the McKee Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies at this very sad time. I will never forget that my first and only “bush plane” ride came courtesy of Delmar, and gave me the thrill of a lifetime!
I hope that his love of life and nature lives on in each of you.
Shelley
March 22, 2016
My heart goes out to all of Delmar’s family. He was an amazing man. My grandchildren adored him. Much love to all who knew him.
March 18, 2016
Dear McKee family: May your love and memories of Delmar give you strength in the days ahead. With many warm thoughts and memories spent with the McKee family and prayers of comfort and strength in your grief. Erwin
March 18, 2016