James "Jim" Louis Keilback

On Easter Sunday, we said goodbye to the old fella' -- our Pa. At 95 years of age, he had spoken his last words, and oh, could he speak! He was born with the gift of gab, paired with an incredible ability to recall names, faces and statistics -- he definitely went into the right profession -- RADIO. From Winnipeg to Phoenix, with many radio stations along the way (Kenora, Brandon, Yorkton, Regina, Tucson), his career included a writing and reporting stint for the Winnipeg Tribune. He interviewed prominent politicians, entertainers and countless athletes in a career that spanned almost 40 years.

His were the glory days of radio when he lived his childhood dream. Using a microphone he constructed from a Meccano set as a young boy, he reported the daily news to the cows on his parents' farm. Starting at age 16, he attended the University of Manitoba, after which he began a career in broadcasting. He went on to call the play for both amateur and professional sports teams in hockey, baseball, football, curling, and plenty of golf and horse racing (no doubt we've missed some) ... he did them all, always with his dear wife and ever-growing family in tow! Despite a hectic schedule of daily sportscasts and hockey broadcasts, he would often muse: "How lucky am I that every day I get to do a job that I love!" Over the years, he was a disc jockey, news, sports and special events announcer. Providing on-site coverage of Grey Cup games in the 1950s-60s and the 1972 Silver Broom World Curling Championship in Germany were among his favourite radio assignments. In 1973, he was hired by Saskatchewan Tourism to tour the northern States and promote the RCMP centennial.

Jim was born in Cloverleaf, Manitoba, on September 18, 1926, to Louie and Mamie Keilback and was a proud descendant of the Selkirk Settlers. Dad's time with us was special -- so many Sunday drives and amazing summer trips throughout North America, major league baseball games with his sons, and the annual "Noodleman Invitational Golf Tournament, where a botched drive or missed putt was sure to be followed by a "Jim, Jim, Jim". We couldn't have asked for a better Father. We'll always miss and love you Dad/Pa, Grandpa, and Great-Poppy. One thing's for sure, if there's an ear around, he'll fill it with stories.

Jim was predeceased by Pat, his wife of 61 years; brother Jack (Paula); sister Adele (Orest) Yakimischak; brother-in-law Bill (Joyce) Blain; and daughter-in-law Jackie. Jim is survived by his children: Curt (Linda), Lois, Drew (Dawn), Reid, Ginny, Andrea (Mike) Schoenecker, and Jay; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren (with two more enroute); as well as a nephew, several nieces, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to the caring Palliative Team from the Pasqua Hospital in Regina. Anyone so wishing is asked to donate to your local Lung Association in Dad's memory. A celebration of Dad's life will be held in Winnipeg at a later date.