Obituary of Keith Gordon Dalglish, M.A., FCA
KEITH GORDON DALGLISH, M.A., FCA
February 20, 1930 – January 5, 2023
Keith passed away peacefully, in his 93rd year. He is survived by his cherished wife of 65 years, Gail (Bagwell), his four beloved children, Tracy (Michael Medline), Todd (Linda Lord), Ian (Ifigenia Konstantopoulou) and Alison (Jim Pottow) and his grandchildren, Alexandra, Allegra, Nicholas, Matthew, Andrew, Carter, Nefeli, Konstantinos and Lilly. Keith is also survived by his sister, Honor Shepley and is predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Kathleen (Pearson) and brother Gavin.
Keith was born and grew up in Toronto, attending high school at University of Toronto Schools, then graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College, University of Toronto, in 1952. He obtained his Chartered Accountant designation and led a storied business career, largely as a partner at KPMG. Throughout his career, Keith was actively involved in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, including serving as President; he was also elected as national Chairman of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Keith was acknowledged by his peers, receiving a Fellowship and Award of Outstanding Merit from the Ontario CA Institute. He also served as CEO of George Weston Ltd.
Keith was a conscientious contributor in the community. He was especially proud of his time as Treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee of the Metro Toronto Zoo in its early years. Keith was active in the United Way of Toronto and the Canadian Red Cross Society. He also served on the Executive Committee of the University Club of Toronto and was a dedicated volunteer of the Friends of Trinity Library.
Keith had an insatiable curiosity since he was a little boy which fostered an archival library of knowledge on many subjects that always provided for thoughtful conversation. This wonder for learning was key to his longevity because he always believed that discovery of something new animated the brain and heart. You could be certain to find him immersed in a book or spending hours in a library or a neighborhood bookstore. His lifelong pursuit of education even took him back to U of T post-retirement where he earned a Master of Arts in History at age 75. Later in life, Keith explored his interest in painting and discovered an innate talent for the movement of colour on a brush that produced countless inspired canvasses. He found great comfort and calm in this creative outlet. From a young age, Keith embraced travel. Highlights included a European tour on Vespas with his best friend, Don Cockburn, in his early twenties and later in life spending every August with his family - for twenty years - at “La Grande Harnacherie” in Tours, France. He had varied interests, ranging from classical music to the Green Bay Packers. Whether at Canning Lake or around the dinner table, Keith led dynamic debates on politics and history. He loved driving around Toronto in his old Saab convertible with his customized license plate proclaiming his initials “KGD”, a nod to his signet ring gifted to him when he was eleven years old that he wore all his life.
Keith met the woman of his dreams, Gail, while playing bridge and then fell in love on the dance floor at their best friends’ wedding where he swept her off her feet. Their marriage was anchored in deep devotion that carried them through more than six decades of companionship. Keith was also a dedicated and caring grandfather who took enormous pleasure in spending time with his beloved grandchildren. He always took an enthusiastic interest in all of their activities. To them, he was affectionately called ‘Papy’. By all who knew him, he was most notably described as a kind and modest man of high intellect with exceptional listening skills. His warm, empathetic and approachable nature made him immediately likeable by friends, colleagues and everyone who had the good fortune of meeting him. He never forgot his Scottish heritage which kept him grounded and pragmatic. Keith was a man of great principle and integrity, never wavering from his values - a gentle man and a gentleman.
In the bookends of his life, he had two favourite novels: Tom Sawyer in his early years and The Story of Mankind in his later years. At this end of life reflection point, the following passage from The Story of Mankind seems appropriate to convey the hundreds of miles he made in his own journey:
“High in the North in a land called Svithjod there is a mountain. It is a hundred miles long and a hundred miles high and once every thousand years a little bird comes to this mountain to sharpen its beak. When the mountain has thus been worn away a single day of eternity will have passed.”
Keith was a rare and special bird whose curious and inquisitive quest to sharpen his beak brought him an eternity of contentment and happiness. His was a life well lived. Keith loved his family with every ounce of his heart, worked tirelessly to make a difference and took joy from life’s simplest pleasures. He will be profoundly missed. As Keith would say himself, “Bye for now.”
We would like to thank the incredible staff at the Rekai Centre – Wellesley for making his final days so comfortable and cared for.
Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
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