Robert Rose "Bob" Keeping

KEEPING, Robert (Bob) Rose, 80, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, passed away unexpectedly on March 23, 2012 at Dartmouth General Hospital. Born in Belleoram, Fortune Bay, NL, he was the son of the late Reginald and Florence Keeping.

Dad was an avid recreational hunter and fisherman, and very proud of his Newfoundland heritage. He worked for 35 years with Imperial Oil, first on the tankers and then at the Dartmouth Refinery. After retiring, he became a volunteer with the Red Cross, driving patients back and forth to their hospital visits. He was a member of and volunteered with the Kiwanis, taking and selling tickets for the Kiwanis Music Festivals, cooking for the schools’ breakfast programme at the Woodside United Church on Bissett Road. He was past master of the Masonic Lodge, Fidelity 119, and just missed receiving his 50 year jewel. He always looked forward to getting out with his “social crowd” that met every Tuesday morning.

Dad will be sorely missed by his children, David Keeping of Eastern Passage and Elsie (Dana) Estabrooks, of Dartmouth, brother, Tom (Martha) Keeping of Halifax, sisters Sybil (Bill) Crawford, of Sudbury, Ontario, Gwen Sheppard, Chatham, Mass., and Mary Cluett of Dartmouth, sister-in-law, Nita Keeping (St. John’s), his special friend, Joan Daye, and all of his nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Susanna (Mullins).

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 2 – 4 pm, and from 6 – 8 pm in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, Portland Street, Dartmouth. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in Christ Church, Wentworth Street, Dartmouth at 2:00 pm., Rev. Stephen Laskey officiating. Internment will be at Dartmouth Memorial Gardens following the service.

Family flowers only please; donations may be made to a charity of choice. Cremation has taken place; online condolences may be viewed or sent to www.mattatallfuneralhome.com.