Obituaries

ANTHONY (TONY) KECK

September 14, 1942 – February 10, 2021

With deep sadness we announce the sudden passing of Anthony (Tony) Keck at his home in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 10, 2021 at 78 years of age.

Born in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan to the farming family of Adam and Katherine Keck, Tony studied Applied Mathematics and Physics at the University of Saskatchewan and then completed meteorologist’s training under the Department of Transportation Meteorological Branch. He began his career as a meteorologist with the RCAF at CFB Cold Lake before moving to CFB Gimli and CFB Winnipeg, where he joined Environment Canada’s Meteorological Service.

During his career, Tony was involved in the development of software that supported meteorologists in spotting severe weather. He also worked to select sites for doppler radar installations that warn thousands about dangerous storms.

Tony was a great believer in volunteer work. He worked with The Block Parent Program of Canada at the local and national level. He participated in contract negotiations for his colleagues in the Meteorological Service, and he was a tireless volunteer for his church, where he was still serving as an usher and member of the finance committee at the time of his death.

Tony loved golf and spent many fine days with friends at Breezy Bend. He even managed to hit two verified holes in one. He greatly enjoyed music, especially the pipe organ, and was a member of Westview Dance Club for many years. Tony was an enthusiastic traveler, visiting sites in Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East. He was also prodigiously handy. He built what must have been the first home computer in his neighborhood back in 1975. He restored the thousand components of a smashed (but classic) accordion before YouTube tutorials. He crafted hardwood kitchen cabinets with a mitre saw and raw lumber. There was very little he could not do when he put his mind to it.

Tony is survived by his wife, Eileen; his sons, David and James; daughter-in-law, Anne; grandchildren, Mandy, Amy, Jacob, and Allyson; his brothers William and Andrew; and his sister Teresa. He was predeceased by his brother Peter and his sister Mary.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church. Given current restrictions due to COVID-19, only a few immediate family members will be in attendance. Other family and friends are welcome to join in the celebration via livestream in real time or may access it afterward on the Saint John XXIII Winnipeg YouTube Channel. For the YouTube livestream link go to www.johnxxiii.ca   Livestreaming and music will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. during the viewing before Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tony’s memory to St. John XXIII Parish, 3390 Portage Ave., Winnipeg MB R3K 0Z3, or to a charity of your choice.