Keith Ellard Johnston – Sunrise: October 6, 1961–Sunset: May 30, 2026
On Monday, June 1, 2026, Gary and I were leaving the parking lot of Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston after a follow-up appointment with Gary’s Neurologist. My cell phone rang. The call was from Lannin Funeral Home – Smiths Falls.
They asked if I was available to preside over a funeral service for someone named Keith Johnston, on Tuesday, June 9. I pulled over, checked my calendar, and “Yes, I was available.”
The staff from Lannin informed me a bit about him and promised to send me his sister’s phone number, etc., so that I can meet up with the family and plan the service accordingly. I thanked them and we hung up. I turned to Gary and said, that is one day before UCC’s 101st birthday.
A few minutes later, we had not gone far from the parking lot, the phone rang again and I was told that I do not need to pull over, but just to quickly ask if Wednesday, June 10 would work, as per the family requested the change. I said sure.
After we hung up, I turned to Gary and said, that is UCC’s Birthday – what a day to have a Celebration of Life – this person must be extra special.
During our conversations, I was told that the Mayor of Smiths Falls had gone and visited Keith at the hospital and I was intrigued. Once I got home from Kingston, I called Keith’s sister and asked if she will be ok for us to meet and plan the service. Her reply was, I have seen you do funeral services, I trust you. I accepted her words humbly and hung up the phone.
Two days later, at our Bible Study gathering (Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m.), when we were checking in, I shared what had happened on Monday, and almost everybody at the Bible study knew Keith and shared their fond memories and sad memories of Keith.
Some of the responses:
“He had a heart of gold.”
“He walked with me after dark when we enjoyed Karaoke night at the Rideau Hotel just to make sure I was not walking alone after dark.”
“Keith was a simple man, but he knew how to care for others and always had a smile even when times were difficult.”
Wednesday evening while I was resting, a little voice in me whispered, “I wonder if Mayor Pankow would say a few words at Keith’s Celebration of Life.” I was not sure how I would get in touch with the mayor, but then I remembered that I have him as a Facebook Friend. So, I wrote to him late in the evening. Mayor Pankow replied – “Good Evening Rev. Takouhi. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to say a few words about Keith. He was a very special person. Thank you for thinking of me and I look forward to seeing you Wednesday.”
The same day, later in the evening, I sent a note to Norma Wrightly from our Trinity Family, as she mentioned at Bible Study that she had worked with Keith at Rideau Regional. I was trying to get a few people who knew Keith to speak of his Life, as they did at the Bible Study, and truly celebrate a wonderful person.
I clearly remember when I was at United Theological College, at seminary, the director of studies told us, “No matter how much you know or you do not know the person that you are doing a funeral service for, it does not matter, as God Knows and Loves them”.
As I was reflecting on these words, another memory popped in my heart from my internship at Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge September 2009 – August 2010, when the minister said: “Takouhi, a funeral service is an opportunity for us to remind people that God Loves Them.”
These words of guidance have remained in my heart and that is why I say “Yes” to any or all funeral requests I get, if my calendar allows. Therefore, I am not limited to the Community of Faith that I am serving. Moreover, I am so grateful that the Communities of Faith that I have served and still serve today consider this part of their ministry as well.
Beloved, if we do not get out of the borderlines that humanity has created, how can we make this world a better place for all people like God intended it to be?
The Celebration of Life went without a hitch. The weather prediction was thunderstorms, but the sun was shining when I arrived at the funeral parlor. Both Mayor Pankow and Norma Wrightly brought honour to Keith’s legacy, and I was so glad they both accepted the invitation to speak. Mayor Pankow’s Eulogy not only paid tribute to Keith and his golden heart, but it also showed me how a mayor and the councillors of a town can make a huge difference in one person’s life and the greater community. As for Norma’s words, they demonstrated how Keith, while he did not have much, was ready to help with what he had.
Both the mayor and Norma have agreed to share their words in this blog, therefore you can read their words at the end of this blog. Please do read the documents from Mayor Pankow and Norma Wrightly – you will not be disappointed.
After the funeral service concluded at Lannin’s, we started to go to the cars and get to Hillcrest Cemetery, a downpour of rain started. In our car, Keith’s sister and nephew were sitting in the back and as we were being driven to the cemetery, the nephew said: “Keith loved dancing in the rain.” I found it so timely that the rain commenced when the service ended.
The cemetery is not far, but of course a funeral procession is always slow, and I was hoping that this dark cloud will pass and offer us a reprieve at the cemetery. The rain did slow down and by the time we got settled with the casket on top of the plot, the rain had stopped.
We had our short committal service and at the very end when I uttered the word “Amen” at the end of the Benediction, a huge roar of thunder was heard. The words that came out of my mouth were: “Yes, Keith, we hear you.”
On our way back to the funeral parlor, I asked the Lannin staff, whom I had not heard from for a while, why they called me for Keith’s service. They answered that the other minister who knew him was out of town, so they called me. Well, I was honoured that I got to preside over this celebration of life, as it was not just a celebration of life that was carried out by human beings, it also got the entire universe to participate in different ways.
Beloved, I have been wanting to write these words for more than a month now, but have not had the chance to do so, however, I came down with a cold, which restricted me from talking and doing anything outside the house. Therefore, I took advantage of this down time and wrote these words because I have learned that every single funeral or celebration of life, whatever you prefer to call this sacred ceremony, help us learn lessons. Moreover, the AHA moments which reveal to us unexpectedly show us how connected we are with the visible and the invisible world. There are saints walking among us even if they do not fit the worldly mold created by others.
Friends, be kind to each other and know that God Loves every single person. Therefore, treat others as you would like to be treated. Lift others to higher grounds and you will not have a choice but to rise up with them.
In the words of the late theologian Marcus Borg, who gave and lived this benediction:
“Life is short. And we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” AMEN
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Eulogy for Keith Ellard Johnston:
By: Mayor Shawn Pankow
We are all born into this world, and we will all leave it one day.
The value of the life we live will not be based on the wealth we have accumulated, the value of our home or our stature in society. It will be based on the difference we have made, the relationships we have developed and the love we have shared.
When I reflect on the life of Keith Johnston from my personal interactions and observations, it is clear, that although cut short, Keith lived a life full of deep and meaningful relationships. A life of connection and mutual respect, rich with the love of family and a broad circle of friends.
Keith was an incredibly warm-hearted man. He would greet everyone with a warm smile, a caring embrace and sometimes, actually almost all the time, a little kiss on the cheek. Our a big smooch as you would describe it Tracey!
He was close to his mother Lois, and of course, to his sister Brenda, who frequently made him play Barbies with her when they were young. He loved his pets and always had a dog or two, or more, in his life. These fur babies gave him great joy and he will long be remembered by Febe and Peanut, and was likely greeted by Jack Pot, Passion and others as he stepped through the pearly gates.
Motivated by his never-ending desire to bring joy to others, Keith loved to cook and entertain. Whether it was his annual corn roast or making a nightly dinner for Bob for the thirteen years they lived together, Keith always put the interests of others ahead of his own.
Keith and Bob were best of friends. I didn’t know Bob but knew of him through Keith. I believe it was their mutual kindness and willingness to help others that fueled their relationship.
It was this desire to help which led to me first meeting Keith ten years ago, following the tragic fire on Robinson Avenue.
Approximately seventeen people were lucky enough to survive the fire. But all were left homeless. There were not a lot of vacant apartments available in town at the time, even less that would be considered affordable to the people living in the Robinson town homes.
Many of you may recall how the public rallied at the time to raise money, and gather up clothing, furniture, personal items, etc. for the victims. I worked the phones, calling all the landlords I knew trying to connect people with available apartments.
That is when Keith called. He said he could provide a temporary home for two of the displaced people. That was Keith, opening his door and his heart to people suffering through severe trauma and facing great difficulty.
As I am sure you would all agree, once you meet and connect with Keith, you are a friend for life. I would regularly see Keith at different community events over the following years. He would call me occasionally to talk about town business, but it was three years ago, that I got to know Keith better.
Bob Ireland died in July, 2022. Keith struggled to cope with the grief of loss. He told me so many times afterwards that he really missed Bob. The loss took a real toll on Keith. He was deeply depressed. He let the home they shared fall into disrepair, wasn’t eating well and couldn’t cope with life, let alone the heartache of the loss of someone who meant so much to him.
In early 2023, a town staff member noticed a steep increase in the amount of water he was being billed for. Either he had a faulty water meter or a major leak. Staff went to his house and found a broken water line that had been running steady, water flowing everywhere, causing great damage to his house. Keith was there, but was not doing well. Staff were concerned that the house was no longer structurally sound to live in, and for his own safety, wanted to force him to move out.
I was advised of the situation and asked staff to give him more time, to ensure he had a home to move to. In a tight and expensive housing market, he would need to find a new place to live.
I got to know Keith much better at that time. I went to his home and helped him understand it was time to move. We went to social services multiple times and staff there were exceptional. They couldn’t commit to finding him a new home immediately, but they promised they would do all they could.
Still dealing with unwavering grief at the loss of Bob, Keith now faced the reality that the house they had lived in together for thirteen years was no longer his home.
Keith was struggling but he wasn’t about to give up. He started getting help from Lanark County Mental Health, and it was this organization’s housing worker at the time – Lavtar Kala, who struck gold and found a new home for Keith at 36 Chambers.
A move would be difficult, but Tracey and I promised to help, as did Councillor Jennifer Miller and her husband Dan, and some of his friends. I had him pack up his most important possessions but told him he must leave most of his things behind. Much of it had been damaged by water, moisture or mould.
A few calls to some friends and we had everything he needed for his apartment. He, Febe and Peanut had a fresh start. He had a new home, was getting the help he needed and was beginning to feel better about himself. He started attending the lunches at the Falls Food Hub, was eating better, put on some weight, and once again, was the outgoing, engaging and loving Keith that had been hiding for too long.
June 3, 2023, must have been one of the proudest days in Keith’s life. Growing up a gay man in an era when living his authentic life would have drawn abuse, bullying and humiliation from others, Keith proudly was the first person to cross our new Pride crosswalk. We have all seen the now famous photo of Keith preparing to step into a grand pirouette, the biggest smile on his face a testament to the pure joy he was feeling as his community, finally, finally gave him and all other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community the recognition and support they have so long deserved.
He also participated in the raising of the Pride flag the past few years, reminding all of us that there is light after darkness, and hope after despair.
Keith loved connecting with friends at the Falls Food Hub lunches. For a guy so personable, this was a social gathering he would never want to miss.
In the words of FFH Volunteer Janet Sinclair, who is here today:
“Since the beginning of the Falls Food Hub, Keith was a familiar face who always brightened the room. No matter the day, he greeted everyone with a warm hug and a cheerful “Hi Honey”! His kindness, warmth and genuine care for others left a lasting impression on all of us. He was more than a visitor, he was part of our Food Hub Family, and he will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by everyone whose lives he touched.”
Unfortunately, Keith seemed to be struggling with his health last summer. Almost like he had a cold he couldn’t shake, and a bump on his neck. Last fall, he collapsed in Centennial Park. Someone saw him and called an ambulance. He was taken to hospital here and then to Kingston. Tracey and I saw him there late last year. He was in ICU and his eyes lit up when we walked in. He was awaiting a final diagnosis, but it looked like cancer.
He was too weak to go home; he just couldn’t handle the stairs. So, he moved in with Brenda. In some ways, knowing now his time was limited, he was blessed to spend most of his final days on this earth with Brenda, who became his caregiver and constant companion. They played TV bingo, even sharing a $1,500 jackpot they won earlier this year. He would buy her scratch tickets when he was out, and she was there to welcome him home after he started daily cancer treatments in January.
Keith and I would exchange phone calls and text messages over this stretch of time. He had difficulty speaking due to the surgery on his trachea, but he would try. He was proud to say he had quit smoking while in hospital (I had always been bugging him to quit!) and he was determined to get strong enough to move home.
His apartment building had a cockroach infestation while he was gone and many of his possessions had to be removed. I had promised I would get him a new bed and bedding when he was ready to move back in.
I went back and looked through our text messages last night and one from March 18 got me laughing. It starts with “Hi” and a waving hand, then It’s getting close to me want to go home, with a house emoji. Then I love my sister, with the two heart emoji, but its time, followed by I want my independence and U know what I mean. She needs her space, I need mine.” Lizzie was getting the help needed to get his apartment cleaned up and we needed to get his bed delivered.
He did move home, and sadly, that is where he was found after suffering a massive heart attack in mid May, the 19th I believe. It was at 6:35 on the 19th when I sent my last text to him 
“Hi Keith, just checking in to see how you are doing.” It wasn’t until days later that I learned he was rushed to Kingston by ambulance and spent his final days there in ICU.
I had the opportunity to see him there on the 28th, just three days before he passed. Although he wasn’t conscious, I wanted him to know he had lived a good life and that it was OK to move on. I told him he was loved by all that knew him and that he had touched the lives of so many.
We are all better to have known Keith. We are all here today because he made a difference in our lives. He was so genuine and authentic. He cared deeply for others and despite the challenges he faced personally, he never complained. He had that special way to crawl in and occupy a part of your heart, where he will always remain.
After moving Keith out of his home on Montague St., he told me he wanted something good to come out of something so personally traumatic to him. He knew the town had an agreement with a not for profit to build affordable housing on Robinson Avenue, the site of the fire in 2016. As his property backed onto that property, he asked if the town would like his property, so it could be added to the other and help create more affordable housing.
That’s Keith, always thinking of helping someone else.
I said we could make that happen and this spring, that process was finalized. The town cleared off the small mortgage, paid all the legal fees and now owns this property. Although it is unlikely future construction will actually happen on his lot, the addition of that space to a bigger development will enable the construction of a couple more affordable units and the space where he once lived will likely be a parkette, complementing the development and benefitting everyone in the neighbourhood.
I think Keith chose to May 31 as his time to move on as he knew that as good as our Pride celebrations are in Smiths Falls, they are nothing, nothing compared to how they celebrate Pride in Heaven, where, for Keith, every day is Pride Day.
Dance your way through eternity my friend. My life is richer because of you. All of our lives are richer, because of you.
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Words from the Heart for Keith Ellard Johnston:
By: Norma Wrightly
Each of us knew Keith from our various walks of life. Some of you will have known him better than I, but the things we can all affirm is that he touched us all with his genuine kindness and flamboyant nature.
He always made me smile, even when my heart would be crying over the challenges he was facing. We know that his life wasn’t always smooth sailing, and yet, he made us smile.
I first met Keith while working at the Rideau Regional Centre. He held a contract position as a RC 1. When that position ended, he worked in the laundry. Keith delivered laundry to the wards I worked on, we would take time to chat, catch up, and have a laugh. I also knew the other side of Keith’s life and some of the challenges he faced in my capacity as his union steward.
Whatever the situation was, joking around or after attending a more serious meeting, he would strike a pose, make a quip, and we would smile.
The last time I was able to have a conversation and receive a hug from him was a year ago. People were picking up a takeaway lunch from Trinity United Church. He and I got talking and even though he was reaching out for a meal to take home, in all sincerity, with a heart made of gold, he said, “Norma, if you ever need help preparing these meals, let me know and I will come help.”
That was Keith, even when he was in need, he offered his kindness and his willingness to help others. His sincerity has touched all of us, his smiles cheered our days, and his hugs gave us what we needed to carry on. Let us cherish his memory by continuing to be extending the love and hope that Keith lived. May you rest in peace, brother.