Obituary of Keith Jackson

E. Keith Jackson New Victoria The family and friends of Earl "Keith" Jackson are saddened to share the news of his sudden passing on December 17, 2020, at the age of 57, at home in New Victoria with his beloved family. Keith was a brave and stubborn fighter in his battle with cancer, and was taking care of his loved ones even as he was recovering in hospital and at home. A man of deep love and passion, his family was his life, his heart and soul. His wife, Heather Grant, his Chickaboo, was the love of his life since their first date 32 years ago. Theirs is a love wrapped in mutual understanding, trust and devotion. "Dadu" was so very proud of his "Iggy" and his "Buddy", daughter Abby and son Eric. Always the centre of his world, there is nothing he would not do for them. He left them with skills and knowledge and a sense of great integrity that he continuously passed to them, always looking for ways to teach and guide. Keith began his career in corrections as a youth worker at the Waterville Youth Facility, and then as Superintendent of the Cape Breton Youth Detention Centre. He was so proud of working as Captain at the Cape Breton Correctional Facility, and was respected by colleagues for his deep sense of honour and justice. He believed strongly in fairness and that respect is earned. He will be sorely missed in his position of Captain Jackson, for which he was awarded the Corrections Exemplary Service Medal. Keith was an avid outdoorsman and survivalist, and he loved sharing his vast knowledge of skills and preparation for survival in the woods. This served him well as a former member of Cape Breton Search and Rescue, and as a former Scout Leader. Keith treasured time with friends and family, and one of his favourite activities was sitting around a campfire, most recently in October. He loved hunting, travelling to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida, Star Trek, collecting cool gadgets, and telling his stories to anyone who would listen. His extended family and friends have many fond memories of Keith's enthusiastic demonstrations of his gadgets and storytelling, and mad skills in the kitchen. Vacation breakfasts of Uncle Keith's Eggs Benedict will never be forgotten. His sharp wit and incredible memory for detail made him a mighty opponent in a debate on any subject, and his keen sense of humour was always engaged and ready to entertain. Keith is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Heather Grant; his cherished children, daughter Abigail and son Eric; Marbles the cat. Also survived by his mother Mary Jackson; sister Lisa Jackson. He will be greatly missed by his mother-in- law and her husband Doreen Grant-Hall and Wayne Hall; brother and sister-in- law (or as Keith called them, brother and sister outlaws) Scott Grant and Sheri Bertaux; nieces and nephews Faith, Joe and Kate Grant, Michael Charlton, Alicia (Mason) and Delila Simms will greatly miss their irreplaceable Uncle Keith; cousins Debbie Salyzyn, Grant and Christian Smith, Hayley (Smith), Jordan and Hudson Reddigan, George, Sonya, Parker and Cameron Salyzyn; aunt and cousins Maureen Newman and Tammy (Newman) and Steven Secord. His loss will be felt deeply by his best friend and hunting buddy Dave, and too many wonderful and loved friends to name, for fear of missing someone...you know who you are. Predeceased by Uncle George Salyzyn, Aunt Ivy Salyzyn, grandmother Mary Salyzyn Clark, father in law Joe Grant, Uncle Robert Newman, cousin Robbie Newman, his beloved Boris cat. A funeral service will take place at 2:00 pm Wednesday December 23, 2020 at T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay. (902-849-4199) Memorial donations may be made to Cape Breton Regional Hospital, 4D and QEII Unit 9A. We are grateful and thankful for the excellent care he received. Special thanks to Dr. Walsh and his surgery team, nurses of CBRH 4D, and nurses of QEII Unit 9A, as well as Keith's family doctor, Dr G. Worth. The Service for Keith will be live streamed through Heather Grant's Facebook Page. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating is limited, social distancing and masks are mandatory. " I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." ~Stephen Grellet