Keith William Lewis Ward

With our condolences at this sad time, donation from Kevin, Jane, Jim and David Loftus

What can I say about Keith? How do you sum him up and your memories of him in just a few sentences?
What I can say is that just because you don't see someone that frequently it doesn't mean that they don't have a profoundly positive influence on your life.
I remember feeling as others have commented that you were utterly safe with him, there seemed nothing that he couldn't do or a situation that he couldn't take care of.
He worked hard but always gave you time if you needed it and was so generous in just wanting you to experience the wonderful things he had - he wanted to share good times and make great memories for people.
We forged a good bond doing DIY together and he liked me being his Apprentice and his Junior Apprentice when Bill was still alive.
He's been a fantastic Grandad to my three who love him beyond words and has set a fantastic example for me to follow as a Grandad myself.
You will be much missed Keith we shall never quite see your like again.

Sending my condolences and love to all of Keith’s family and friends. I always enjoyed the banter with my uncle and godfather. I know he will be very much missed.

In memory of my cousin Keith. Our paths didn’t cross very often, but a loved member of the Ward family all the same. R.I.P love Lynn & Fred

Grandad
I miss you so much and my heart has been completely broken by your passing. Eliza misses you too and when I asked her if she would like me to say anything from her to you she simply told me to say “go to bed Keith”. Though we are of course very sad I think in some way she’s glad you took her advice and finally are getting some rest. She did draw you a picture which mum placed in your coffin so you’ll always have it close by and I hope you look at it everyday and know how much we love you.
When I think back to my childhood I had lots of happy and funny memories with you from taking a whole lot of bacon bits from Pizza Hut for all us grandchildren to family holidays in Florida and Greece and most recently falling asleep in his chair with a hot coffee which he spilt all down himself. Much to the amusement of me, joe,Eliza and Nan.
In the last few years me and you became even closer I’ve been seeing you and nan every week for lunch and I can’t believe I’m never going to see you again. Sometimes when I came round you were just asleep in your bedroom and now everytime I go round to see nan I just think your asleep in your bedroom. I feel it’s the only way I can get through this. I didn’t want you to die like that you deserved better and never believed you could be taken from us so soon. We haven’t just lost a grandad we’ve lost the head to our table, our cameraman and most importantly our biggest support and friend.
Me and Eliza promise to take care of mum and Nan and help them through this. We know you wouldn’t want us to be this sad.
I need to really say thank you though grandad ... for everything. You’ve given all of us the best childhood and most importantly for capturing it all on film.
I can’t say goodbye I just can’t so I’ll just say until we meet again
I love you grandad
Sleep well xxxxxxx

Such happy memories of a fiercely loyal family man, who will be greatly missed.

The full Surrey University Chemical Engineering graduates of 1966 at their 50 reunion dinner in 2016. We had a great time together between 1962 and 1966; the spirit was renewed at the reunion dinner and, as ever, Keith was very much at the heart of the fun. He will be sadly missed. RIP
(In the picture, left to write, Brian Harris, Harry Beale, Keith, Peter Eyles and Peter Moxham)

A happy memory from 2016 -the Surrey University Chemical Engineering Graduate class of 1966 50 year reunion on the river at Windsor. In the picture, standing Peter Moxham then from left to right, Peter Eyles, Keith, Bridget Harris, Jenny Moxham, Lynda Eyles, Di. Photographer, Brian Harris. Harry and Rosalind Beale joined us later for dinner. Peter x2, Harry, Keith and Brian were the first Chemical Engineering Graduates at Surrey University.

Dear Keith,
I remember you from the Connell family parties and more latterly am glad we at least got a couple of cousins dos organised and were able to catch up in the good times....not often enough though. So my most recent memories are the funny jokes and pearls of wisdom on e mail,
Rest in Peace cousin, Jim

To my darling dad - how can I put into a few paragraphs what you meant to me and how much I will miss you.

I have a lifetime full of memories of you, some not for fragile ears (you were not afraid to let your feelings out), but mostly funny funny memories - because of all the things you were dad, you were a character. If you were in a room you were the centre of the room (even if you were snoring) we all knew you were there. You were also the anchor of our large loud and loving family, and you have left a gaping hole.

You once said to me, “Ness, sometimes I wake in the middle of the night terrified of dying because there is still so much more I want to do”. That to me sums you up, you experienced so much but it would never be enough.

You used to say, “if a jobs worth doing, it’s worth doing properly” and you did your job as my dad properly dad.

You did everything to the best of your ability whether it was travelling the globe, your career, your DIY tasks or how you loved and supported us your children, your grandchildren and your great grandchild (who is going to paint over Eliza’s wall now great grandad?, and who is going to roar at her when she catches you snoring and copies great nanny saying “go to bed Keith”).

I never for one moment of my life doubted how much you loved me, and I know you knew how much I admired and loved you.

You weren’t perfect, but for me you were the perfect dad.

I will miss talking to you and listening to your wise words of encouragement on my career. You loved hearing about my patients and my hospital tales, and I loved talking to you about them. I remember when I got my job at CQC and mum was away, you turned up with a card (I’m sure mum told you to do that) and a bottle of Prosecco (you) and you told me how proud you were of me.

I remember you presenting me with your ‘Mont Blanc’ pen and talking me through the thought you put into who should have the pen. If I had a tricky meeting or presentation at work and needed courage I took that pen, it reminded me that my dad had courage.

You once told me when I was facing a difficult work conversation with someone I revered, “he’s no better than you Ness don’t fear him, he gets up in the morning and has a sh#t, shave and a shower like the rest of us - you are just as good as him”. That particular person had been knighted for his achievements so the queen may disagree with you dad - but I knew in your eyes I was his equal and that gave me the confidence to face him.

So now all that’s left to say is how do I get the courage to say goodbye to my lovely, courageous inspirational dad?I’m not sure dad how I do that - perhaps send me a bit of advice?

But thank you. I know I won the lottery of life when I got you as my dad. Thank you for the memories, thank you for your love and inspiration. Please come and talk to me every now and again.

Love Always Ness x x x

Keith I came into your life when you were 15 yrs old. Within a year of my birth you had met Di and I was often seen out with you both … so much so that the folk of Cheriton thought I was your daughter, not your sister!

By the time I was three you had left home for University. You were the first member of our very large family to gain a degree and the black and white photo of you taken at your degree presentation sat proudly on Mum’s sideboard and accompanied my entire life growing up at home.

By the time I was six, Di had agreed to marry you and I was a bridesmaid in the wedding of the year. I just had to grow my hair long and do as I was told!

By the time I was eight, you and Di made me an Auntie with the birth of Gavin, soon to be followed by Liz, Ness, and then a few year later, Dom and Char! However at the age of eight I had a nephew who was closer in age to me than you, but a brother who still loved me very much. It was left to you to tell me, a few months after Ness was born, that my darling Nanny Connell had died in the night and it was you who comforted me and held me tight when all I could do was cry.

By the time I was sixteen, you were predicting a teenage pregnancy for your wayward 'Little Sister', and you were pretty miffed that I was allowed to wear denim jeans when you hadn’t been at my age. Well a 15 year gap is almost a generation, but not for us.

Finally I too got my degree and my guests for my presentation were You and Dad. Sadly Mum was too poorly, but Dad was not much better! Without you telling me then to take Dad to get his Hb tested he wouldn’t have had the extra years he did, so I thank you for being the big brother that day too.

By the time I was fifty two, it was my turn to invite you to my wedding! What a wonderful day we had, and as my official photographer I have a host of very special photos. You did me proud, as I knew you would, well you had had plenty of practice since I was born!

So my dearest ‘Big Brother’ there are so many memories I hold dear to my heart. I am so very lucky to have an extensive photo album of me as a child and a reel to reel tape recording of me at the age of three, that I treasure, all because of your love of the the camera and the fact you had a ‘Little Sister’ as your model in those early days. This very special legacy you have left me and your family! Photos, cine films, videos, cds, and mp3s so we can look, watch and listen to you forever, thank you.

Big Brother, Middle Brother, Little Sister - it is with a very heavy heart that we go from three to two.

Always in my thoughts, always part of me, just always …
Joanna

To my gorgeous granddad,

It’s difficult to put into words how much I will miss you. You have been such an inspiration to me, with all the tales of your career and all the stories of the life you have lived. You have been the driving force behind my academic success and I cannot thank you enough for that.

You are the most amazing man, husband, father and grandfather. I have such fond childhood memories spent at yours and nans house, we definitely had the best of you as you have been retired for the majority of my life.

I will always cherish the dinners and days we spent together. One of my favourite memories was a large ‘cousins dinner’ at Pizza Hut where you took the whole tub of bacon bits out the salad bar to dish out for all of us, because you knew they were our favourite. You were never afraid of people telling you off, you always wanted to do whatever you could to make us happy.

Another example of this was our beautiful family holidays; the cruise and Ikos in Greece. These are such fond memories that I know I will treasure forever.

It all seems very strange that you are gone, but I know you are. I know how much you loved me, and you know I loved you.

Sleep well granddad.

All my love forever,
Lucy xxxxxxx
(tubs)

Keith...... I cannot trivialize the feelings we had for this man. There is a bond between Di, Keith, Mick and myself. We have laughed and cried together, a true friendship of the purest kind. It is sprung from a kind of love. It will never die, never tarnish, and will remain after death always. As usual l speak from the heart so sweet dreams my dear friend. till we meet again...….Margi.

Grandad, I really wish I could have made your funeral and been with all the family to share our amazing memories of you.
However, I will be in Australia, finding a place to have a toast to you (maybe a shot of Drambuie). I’ll wear one of your Australia tops that Nan has given to me which you brought on your trip to Oz.
I have many great memories of Grandad growing up. I know how much he enjoyed ‘Cousins Tea’; when all of us grandchildren came over after school for dinner. I remember Grandad having to make a rota of who was allowed on his office computer at what time; he was attempting to create a sense of order amongst the inevitable chaos of his poor office being invaded!
If Grandad wasn’t in his office, you could find him in his garage, which was full of every nut, bolt and screw imaginable. If something was broken you could count on Grandad to fix it! He loved putting things together, I remember being amazed at the train set he built. You could tell he had put so much time, effort and detail into the set (The train set which took up an entire room!)
Growing up, Grandad always made videos and films of family events. You knew a masterpiece was in the making when Grandad would wonder from the kitchen, with the largest of mixing bowls full of ‘salad’, into his office. We as a family regularly watch the videos that Grandad made and I feel so grateful to be able to look back on these treasured times. However we do laugh at the funky array of backing tracks Grandad would put to the videos.
Talking of music taste, I actually recall Grandad driving my family to the airport and all having to listen to a panpipe album the entire way. Because “if we were in Grandad’s car, we had to listen to Grandad’s music!”
More recently Grandad would often call me over to his computer to show me funny online videos and jokes that he’d found. One of my last memories of Grandad was when I accidently saw too much of him! Grandad was unaware that I had popped over with my dad to their flat. He wondered straight from the shower into the front room with just a small towel wrapped around his waist! It was a shock for the both of us, but also now a funny memory I have of him!
I feel very lucky that we got the opportunity to go on family holidays such as: Florida (Disney world), Mediterranean cruise and recently to Greece with all the family- such incredible experiences. Recently, I was lucky to have my graduation meal with Grandad and tell him about all the plans for my Australia trip. This trip to Australia has in part been inspired by Grandad and Nan. Their home is full of photos and souvenirs from all over the world and has inspired me growing up. I hope one day I will be lucky enough to see as much of the world as Grandad did.
I love you Grandad, we will all miss you. You were head of our big crazy family. Thank you for so many treasured memories growing up, and may you rest in peace.
Emily xxxxxx

We first met some 50 years ago and enjoyed many fun escapades with our families. We have remained friends ever since. Keith became so very successful in his career and he never stopped loving and caring for his family. I was proud to call him my friend and I will miss him. Lunch at 'The Beachy Head' or The Malta Inn' will never be the same again. Rest in peace dear friend till we meet again.

It is a privilege for me to pay tribute to a very special person, my brother Keith.

My name is Malcolm and I am Keith's younger brother. I guess I have known him longer than everybody that remembers Keith and are alive today. There were periods in our lives when we were close and periods when we just got on with the business of earning and living and bringing up kids when we saw each other less. My childhood memories are many and various. - too many to recount here. We went to the same schools and his academic achievements were much, much greater than mine! This at times made my school life academically challenging and I would be often be told ‘your not like your brother!’
He was never told the same by the teachers when it came to PE and sport!!

He was remarkable in so many ways. He lived his life to the fullest and touched so many people during his life As I began to reach out for the right words to express my thoughts about my brother Keith, I remembered the many valued and meaningful roles that Keith played through out his life.

First and foremost I see him as the family man. He loved his family profoundly. He was a devoted husband / son / father / uncle / brother and friend. Looking back, he was always a family man.

Keith was a comfort to our mum and dad when they were alive. He had his moments with Dad but so did.I He felt that Dad never praised him for his achievements and never told him how proud he was of him. This, I think, saddened him.

Keith took all of the roles in his life to heart and he strove to honour, support, and guide and most importantly, protect his family. He was at his happiest when he was surrounded by his family - even during those inevitable tough times that life has a way of throwing at you. His devotion to his family was the foundation of his actions - the anchor that defined and shaped his life.

I see Keith - the friend. He was a good friend to so many! He could be counted on and depended on always. Whether you needed simple advice, an empathetic ear, a shoulder to lean on. He never shied away from telling people straight what to do or what not to do. I see Keith a man defiant and unwilling to settle for less. He lived a principled life underpinned by a strong sense of right and wrong.

I also see him as a respected citizen. He shared his expertise with anyone who would listen, he worked hard and consistently and he remained a student of life.

My brother Keith was a very sociable person and in his later years, when he could stay a wake, would love to have long discussions about politics and all aspects of life I need not tell those who knew him well how much he loved to travel with Di, his food and drink Unfortunately as he grew older and heavier was a very reluctant exerciser or walker. I can safely say he never had gym membership in his life!

Keith, brother, it is very hard to say goodbye so I will just say see you around. We will remember you through the many people still left behind whose lives you touched so positively. You may not realise it, but you leave an amazing legacy behind, five beautiful, handsome and brilliant children. They are your legacy! Through them you leave this world a better place than when you found it and for that you have to be very proud.

Keith brother, we will miss you, but we will always remember you with respect, admiration and love.

I first met Keith while working in the UK in the mid 80’s, when we were business colleagues on the Ohmeda marketing team. I have very fond memories of the times we worked and relaxed together, especially the “Dawn of a New Era” event when we launched the Excel anesthesia system at the Tower Hotel in London. I’ll miss his barrage of funny emails which most always came en masse, and that usually over weekends! More than that, I’ll miss you my friend; may the memories of your wonderful personality and many contributions during your career be celebrated by all who had the opportunity to have known and worked with you. RIP

Dad,
I still can't believe I will never see you again. You will be, and already are, so missed. I love this picture which is now on my fridge. I hope we do you proud in the future.
All my love Charlotte xxxx