Sarah June and family,
It was a LONG time ago when I knew you, but I wanted to share that I have wonderful memories playing at your house on the hill on Edenbridge Drive, and meeting your dad during that time.  Reading his obituary in the paper, I'm astounded by what an interesting, good, and well travelled person he was.   I am so sorry to hear that he has died, and hope that the memories you have of your adventures together, will help your heart to heal.
Lucy Harris, Etobicoke

I have met very few people in my life who I considered to be truly inspirational.  Keith Davey was one of those people. Creative, compassionate, interesting, a visionary.  And just fun to be with.

Undertaking the challenging task of creating the National School of Dental Therapy, building it from a modest beginning in Fort Smith to an internationally recognized institution in Prince Albert, was an incredible accomplishment.   
Keith and Martha led the way, training students not only from Canada, but from all over the world, to provide dental services under challenging circumstances in remote and underserviced communities.  Keith even designed the equipment!

Working at the school was really a wonderful experience, not only the challenge of the work, but also the fun of the social events, the travel and the spirit of camaraderie.  All of this fostered by Keith and Martha.  I remember my time there as a highlight of my working career.

The need for dental services in remote communities, especially for children continues to be inadequately addressed.
Although the school no longer exists, Keith’s vision for dental therapy in Canada is far from being extinguished, and to me, that is his legacy.   

It is a sad day indeed when we lose someone like Keith, but none of us who had the privilege of his acquaintance will ever forget him.

Our sincere condolences to Martha, Sarah, and the rest of the Davey family.

Ron and Jan Kelly




My condolences to Dr. Davey's family. I went the NSDT in 1984-1986 (Nee Frank). My daughter was 8 months old then. Dr. Davey was a kind person. I'm glad he was a visionary & had a plan for dental care in Northern Canada. We had a good life in some Northern communities. Thank you for your life's work.

It is with a saddened heart that I receive the news of Dr. Keith Davey passing away. Please Martha and family accept heartfelt condolences.

Let me seize this opportunity, to thank you  Martha for the hospitality that you and Dr. Davey showed those of us who attended NSDT from Cameroon; Maurine Gola, Eric, Yvonne Tar, Martina Muma(RIP), and myself (formerly Eunice Manjo).

 I flunked out of college in Cameroon at age of 21. Because of Dr. Keith Davey and his relationship with the Banso Baptist Hospital and Dr. Lantum, I was able to pursue my dream of earning an education at the NSDT in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. I also had the privilege of earning a job in Rankin Inlet after graduating from NSDT in 1992 all thanks to Dr. Davey. Thank you Dr. Davey for giving us hope and a second chance and a solid foundation in life. 

Rest in  Perfect Peace Dr. Keith Davey until we meet again.

Dr. Eunice Gwanmesia
CEO Eunity Solutions
United States of America


It is with the heaviness of heart that I am writing this after learning of the passing of Dr Davey. He was responsible for five of us Dominicans studying in Canada in the early '90s to become Dental Therapists, as well as sustaining the program on the island for many years. We will be forever grateful to him. 
It was surely an honor to have known Dr Davey and his beloved wife Martha, who were so humble and well loved. 
On behalf of Judith Lewis, Bertillia Hurtault, Janice Baron the staff of the Dental Department, and all Dominicans who benefitted from Dr Davey's humanitarian work, I offer my deepest condolences to Martha and the rest of the family.  REST WELL DR KEITH DAVEY

Dr Davey was one of my most motivational mentor and person who made me through my course and career. I was one of very few people who came from other side of the world Nepal to become dental therapy and I was very fortunate to graduate the year he retired. Thank you Martha and sending our prayers and deep condolences to you. We will miss Dr Davey forever and may his departed soul rest in peace and heaven.
Mingma sherpa

My condolences to his family .. I had the honour of being one of his students in the Dental Therapy program . He was also on my field clinic experience .. Dr.Davey was so kind and I am so happy I can look back and smile at all the Laughter that was shared..... without his vision I would not be in my career for over 27 years ... my heart goes out to all of you ((hugs)) fly high Dr.Davey and may the Creator give your family peace ❤️

I met Keith when dating his sister Claire in 1954. Claire and I were married in Toronto in 1956. Keith and his first wife, June, drove us newlyweds to the train station for our ride to Ottawa where I had left the little MG that we intended to use for our honeymoon trip to Cape Cod and Boston. I remember well Keith laughing at the bunk beds in the train compartment and his inquiring as to which of us would get the top bunk. Keith had an excellent sense of humour that stayed with him all his life.
We kept in touch over the years although Keith and Martha, his second wife, were busy in Fort Smith establishing the National School of Dental Therapy while Claire and I were in Ontario, moving from city to city as my work in computing took us from Ottawa, to Montreal, Toronto, Kingston and eventually Brockville. Claire adapted well to our gypsy life and taught school wherever we lived. Keith showed up fairly often, usually on a cycling trip with a gang of his friends. 
When Claire and I retired and went to Vancouver in 2007, we began seeing much more of Keith and Martha, with regular dinners at restaurants in North Vancouver and Christmas or New Years Day banquets hosted by Keith and Martha at their home in North Vancouver. Keith always had an ability to provide sound advice whenever I came up with one of my outlandish ideas. 
In spite of his having difficulty getting around, he made the effort to visit Claire when she was in the care home and he always had a cheerful story to tell, reminding Claire of their escapades when they were growing up in the Parkdale section of Toronto in the 20’s and 30’s. 
Keith was a bit of a perfectionist, as anyone who has seen his “nailery” art work, patterns of nails in varnished driftwood, would attest. 
Keith was a true friend to many people in the dental fraternity as well as the cycling clubs. He was very helpful to Claire and me, very devoted to his family, always cheerful with a positive attitude to life. We will miss him.

Keith was a wonderful man and, with Martha, they provided a beautiful model of a couple who shared a vision and used their skills to put it in place.  Keith and Martha’s National School of Dental Therapy was a shining example of going over and above the norm, in this case to bring dental health care to Indigenous people.  But more than that, it was a model that empowered Indigenous students to acquire skills, by which they could gain confidence in themselves and give back to their communities.  What pride those students must have felt upon graduation.

I worked with Keith, his staff, and their graduates when they and others conducted the first nation wide assessment of oral health of Indigenous children.  I worked with Keith and his staff when they took responsibility to train dental therapists from Dominica who then returned to provide care for children in that country.  I applauded Keith and his staff when they provided on site guidance to their graduate dental therapists providing care in Canada’s First Nations communities.  I commiserated with Keith and Martha, their staff and their graduates when their model of training and service delivery was changed, and then shut down.

To Martha, Beth and I offer our sincerest condolences; you and Keith gave it your best and it was great.

James L Leake
Professor Emeritus
University of Toronto


It is with heavy  hearts we received the news of the recent passing of Keith.  Since our beginning at the NSDT in 1989, Keith has been a wonderful friend, colleague and boss.  We have enjoyed many happy and memorable times over the years with Keith and Martha.  Our memories of these times will last throughout our lives.  So, it is with sorrow we say "Farewell, good friend Keith."  It has been a privilege having you as a good friend for all these years!  Our most sincere condolences to Martha, daughter Sara, and family.

With All Our Love,
Glenn and Mary Schnell and family.

It was with tremendous sadness that we heard of Keith’s passing this week.  Truly an amazing man who devoted a significant portion of his career helping those less fortunate then ourselves.  

A most interesting and positive individual with an incredible number of diverse interests, canoeing, biking, carpentry, the unique art of nailery, gardening and story telling, to name a few.  He was always looking for a new adventure to enrich his life.  

He was an avid biker and long time member of the North Shore Biking Club.  Despite declining health in the last few years and decreased mobility he always looked on the bright side and made every day count.  He remained determined until the end to find a way to get back on his bike for one last ride.  

He was very fortunate to have the tremendous support from his loving  wife Martha, and his daughter Sara who helped him stay independent and safe in his home which he loved so dearly. 

With Keith’s passing, and his sister Claire’s death 2 years ago, sadly brings  an end to an era of a generation of the Davey family.  A generation of true adventurers who never followed the well trodden path but choose to follow a different direction to succeed in life.  Keith’s life clearly was a lifetime of success.  

Our hearts are saddened with Keith’s death, and we send our heartfelt condolences to Martha, Sara and family.
He was a well loved man, we will miss him and will treasure our memories of time spent in his company.

Sincerely,
Laraine and Bruce Davey 


I am deeply saddened by Keith's passing. I want to offer my most sincere condolences to Martha and immediate family, his assorted friends and relatives, and all those he touched during his incredible life journey. I share your loss. 

In 1977, as a newly graduating dentist at the University of Toronto, during a recruitment presentation, I learned that Dr Keith Walker Davey had just developed and was operating not only a School, but an entire operating system to bring dental care to the most underserviced, most remote and most disadvantaged locations in Canada. What a challenging undertaking! With wide eyes, I was hooked.  It looked like a true adventure and party to be part of this frontier endeavour.  Who was this Dr Davey,  architect of this daunting humanitarian engineering project?  
I phoned him immediately.  In a whirlwind of time, daughter Sara answered, shouted for Dad, I flew to Ft Smith, trusty Martha picked me up in a SUV well-equipped with Boston Pops 8-tracks and my life was transformed.

For me, Keith remains an example and  guide for how to lead an  abundant, compassionate and rational life. He is a cherished memory, a subject for a Reader's Digest "My Most Unforgettable Character".  Reflecting on his supportive, creative, energetic spirit, Keith was the best confidante, boss and companion I could imagine. A genuine Renaissance Man who could get things done with humour and an endearing knack for seeing and nurturing the best in people fortunate enough to be around him. In retrospect, everything he had done, was doing or was planning to accomplish was interesting; everyone he held close was interesting. Dull moments did not seem to be allowed. What a joy to be in his company! It was an honour and pleasure to serve in his School with all his associates, with all his students, with all the staff and connections along the way. What can I say now? So much. But I will stop…and filter.  Though sorrowful that his life cycle has ended, Keith is always with me.

My first meeting with Dr. Keith Davey was in Thunder Bay (spring of 1979). I discovered National School of Dental Therapy while I was a Dental Assistant student. My instructor informed me the Director would be at the school, like tomorrow. Dr. Davey and I  had a lengthy discussion and he encouraged me to  apply. He essentially recruited me to this great program. He was very much like our guardian/father and Martha (his wife) a mother to us young impressionable, first time away from home, students! He was very supportive and believed in his students and staff.  Dr. Keith Davey was the founder of National School of Dental Therapy.  He was an advocate for Indigenous Dental Health for Northern Regions of Canada.  Thus, The National School of Therapy was established in Ft Smith, NWT.  I often thought of Dr. Davey, and wanted to thank him for believing in me.  Example, he had asked me to make a welcoming address to Minister of Health, Monique Begin at a Dental Therapy event. His memory still inspires me and I believe he shaped the ideals regarding the importance of education. There are lots of fond memories; the techniques he taught us; the socials; chats, and laughter at the school!   Chi-Miigwetch-(Ojibway -Big Thanks) Keith!  May you journey to the spirit world with an abundance of stories to share. My prayers and sincere condolence Martha and the family. 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Keith Walker Davey

Décédé(e) le 20 JANVIER 2021

First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

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