MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre
30 King Street East, Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
After a brief illness, on January 22, 2025 at Northumberland Hills Hospital with his daughter Veronica by his side.
At the age of 90, Keith passed peacefully. There was a small smile which played across his face a few times on the day of his death, accompanied by a tuneless hum. His beloved wife, the late Roma Derry (nee Braithwaite), was perhaps waiting nearby to be swept into his arms once again to dance to the big band sounds so enjoyed by them both.
Survived by brothers Ross (the late June), Gordon (Lynda) and sister Merla Smith (George), and a number of nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister Audrey Cole (the late Murray).
Keith was co-owner of Derry’s garage in Roseneath, then worked in auto body repair in Cobourg. Upon retirement he took up woodturning, excelling at it as he did at just about everything he undertook. There wasn’t much he couldn’t figure out how to build or repair, from mechanics to cupboards. Making furniture, installing windows or nurturing tomatoes to grow lushly. He took pleasure in a job well done. His attention to detail was present in everything he did including dressing well to head out for his daily walks……….always wearing one of his many Tilly hats.
A Celebration of Keith’s life will be held in the MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Center on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 11 am – 2 pm. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation or Cobourg Public Library.
Dear Veronica We continue to think of you as your Dad crosses over to be with Roma. Still use the spurtle he made on the lathe which is great for mixing batter! His wood turning was exquisite as in the basket bowl we have of his. Love the stories we have heard about him and the picture of him with the groovy hat is great! Love and condolences to you, Anna and Meredith
Veronica, Your father sounds like a wonderful and remarkable man. Although I have never met him, I love this photo of him! I send you heartfelt condolences on this profound loss, and much love. xox Rae
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Cobourg Public Library
Dear Veronica, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing, and will treasure even more the gorgeous wooden bowl I have. Thinking of you and sending love to you & your family XoJane
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Cobourg Public Library
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Veronica was my first friend in Roseneath. We were together daily, I'm sure, so I spent a lot of time at the Derry household. I can remember Keith and Roma as clear as if it were yesterday. Keith walking swiftly by our house to and from the garage daily; lunch time, too, his laugh, his enjoyment of car races which I can clearly understand now myself (I'm a Nascar fan). I'm sure his little smiles at the end were definitely thoughts of being reunited with Roma again to dance the nights away. R.I.P. Keith.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Dear Veronica. I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. May your happy memories of the time you spent together bring you peace and comfort.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Cobourg Public Library
Dear Veronica, I am so very sorry for your loss. Having your dad with you these past few months was such a blessing. This is such a lovely photo of your dad and Max. 🩷
Sending you our love and many hugs. Take good care.
Veronica, I am sorry to read about your father. I am glad you were able to be there for him. I know it meant a lot to him to know you were there. Please accept my condolences.
Dear Veronica and Derry Family Sorry for your loss my thoughts are with you. Growing up, I lived beside the Derry garage went there to get treats always pop in the cooler and chocolate bars at the candy counter. Remember your mum walking to meet you dad after work , he would close at night and they walked by the house holding hands on their way home. Hold your memories close My Condolences Eva Ann
My sympathies Veronica, I know you will miss your dad. The picture you chose is so endearing.
What a beautifully poetic obituary. He must have been so proud of the creative empath he raised. May your joyful memories of your parents’ bond and your family traditions sustain you through this difficult time.
Dear Veronica, This is such sad news to read of your beloved Dad’s passing. I wish I could attend his Celebration of Life to be there for you during this emotional time. Please know I am thinking of you and sending you much light & love. His obituary is lovely along with the chosen image captures his personality perfectly.
I'd not had the pleasure of meeting Keith. Knowing you Veronica, I imagine he was lovely. Let happy memories help you through this time! My heartfelt condolences.
V’Cat, My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. I’m thinking of you, my dear girl. Your Dad’s obituary is truly beautiful. A class act in a Tilly hat! K, Marcus & 🐾 xoxo
Dear Veronica, I fondly remember bumping into you and your father at the grocery store. Brief as it was, it reflected to me, how much the two of you meant to each other. It’s a happy thought.
What a glorious obituary. He sounds such a lovely man. My heartfelt condolences to you Veronica.
Veronica and family. It is with a deep sadness that I hear of Keith's passing a wonderful man, husband father brother.Hìs passing leaves the world less a wonderful person and a definite hole that can never be filled. Ron Wood
Our condolences to the Derry family in the passing of Keith. The Parker family used the services of their garage in Roseneath for many years.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Cobourg Public Library
I moved to the prairies almost 50 years ago and I have always fondly remembered Keith’s sharp sense of humour and his laugh. A good friend of my dad. He will be missed.
Dear Veronica, Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved father. Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
Dear Veronica and the Derry Family, I was deeply saddened to hear about your father's passing. He sounds like he was a very versatile man excelling at both auto repair and carpentry. I was pleased to know that you were there to be at his side during his final moments. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Sincere condolences to all. Keith Frederick Derry November 20, 1934 - January 22, 2025 - REST IN PEACE -
Veronica, so sorry to read of your dad's passing. Hasn't seen you in years, back in the Roseneath days. Take comfort in knowing that he is with your mum once again. Sincere sympathy to you at this time.
Veronica, please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your dear Dad. Take care🌹
Hi Veronica, it's been 50 years since we were dear friends I would like to give you my condolences on the loss pf your Dad, my heart goes out to you 💕
R.I.P. KEITH.
I knew Keith when we were children in Roseneath my sincere condolences go out to you Veronica and the Derry family RIP Keith
My sincere condolences to you Veronica and the rest of the family on the loss of your father.
Our sincere condolences to you Veronica and all of Your Dad's Family. Your Dad was a very skilled craftsman at what ever task he was involved with. May your happy memories sustain you through this difficult time. Allan and Debbie Elder
Sad time my condolences. Had some great times with Keith. He was a man among men and a boy among boys. Proud to have known him. He was a craftsman for sure!
Veronica and all the Derry family . Eleanor and I wish to express our condolences to all on the passing of a great friend. Keith and Roma were close friends for many years .May they rest in peace . Don and Eleanor
So very sorry to hear this, Veronica. Our sincere condolences to you & your family.
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our condolences to you, Veronica and your extended family. May your many memories and knowing your parents are together again, bring some comfort and peace in the days ahead. Katrina and Bruce
Veronica-sorry for your loss. Will say prayer for you.
Sending you my warmest thoughts, Veronica!!
Dear Veronica, I was very sad to hear of the passing of your Dad. Please accept my sincere condolences. My thoughts are with you.
Sorry for your loss Veronica. Sending love to you today
Sorry to hear of Keith’s passing, our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.
Veronica,we send sincere sympathy at this time for the loss of your father.He leaves behind his finest qualities exemplified in you, his caring, loving , kind daughter.
Veronica, sincere condolences and hugs.Treasure the memories 💕
Veronica, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was such a kind and gentle man, and so very proud of you.
Veronica, Sad to hear of the loss of your father Keith, keep the memories close to cushion your loss. I had the privilege of knowing all of your Derry Aunts and Uncle s and benefiting from their work at Derry's Garage in Roseneath. Their workmanship was as good on the cars as Keith was on the wonderful bowls he lathed.
Veronica - my deepest condolences to you - imparted while holding you in a long hug. Grief is indeed the price we pay for love xoxo
Dear Veronica, so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Eino and I are also proud owners of 3 of your father's bowls. There is one I think you told me Keith called it "Moose Ears". I still chuckle every time I look at it. Thinking of you at this sad time. Hugs, Bev
Dear Veronica and family We are so sorry to learn of your loss. Wishing you all the best at this time.
Veronica, I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Your mother always spoke of him with such love. She will be waiting for him with open arms. Take care, you were so loved by both your parents.
I am sad to hear about Keith’s passing, so soon after moving back into Cobourg. My love goes out to Veronica who has been so close to her dad ,ensuring that he was always well cared for , loved and comfortable . It is a real milestone in our lives when a parent dies. Hugs to you Veronica as you process all of this and grieve in your own way.
So sorry to hear about Uncle Keith. He was such a nice man. Take care Veronica. Hugs to whole family xoxo
I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing Veronica. I have some great memories of Christmas celebrations with your mom and dad. Happy times sharing conversation, playing crokinole and sipping liqueurs. Remember all the times you shared ❤️
You are awesome uncle I remember when you fixed my old valiant straighten the frame laughed at me said I'll never own a new car cuz I like old ones too much RIP KIETH
Our condolences to the Derry Family.
I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing, Veronica. Jeanette and I send you our love and sympathies.
Sending you my deepest condolences Veronica. I still have the lovely wooden bowl he made years ago for my wedding. I cherish it. Thinking of you in the days ahead.
Dear Veronica, we are so sorry for your loss. We only knew your dad through a few brief meetings and your stories, which highlighted his unique style. We are also the proud owners of several of his wood pieces, each one so well made as to shine in their elegant simplicity. What stands out most for us is the loving care he received from you, especially evident in the months spent living in your home. You gave him space for his independent nature, pampered him with delicious meals and kept his dignity protected while navigating his failing health. The gift of a loving daughter. With admiration and love, Andrew and Barbara
Thinking of you. My sympathies.
Dear Veronica..we are saddened to read of the passing of your father. Our deepest sympathies to you, your family and friends.