Obituary of Keith Hipkins

HIPKINS: Keith -

We are sad to announce that Keith passed away, peacefully, in his sleep, in Ridgetown, on April 20, 2023.

Son of the late Fred (2009) and Dorothy (2004) Hipkins and his brothers Ralph (2001) and Paul “Moose” (2004) Hipkins.

Keith is survived by his brother Mark (Deb McMahon) and his sister in-law Mary (Ralph 2001), his nephews Kevin Hipkins (Tracey), Brian Hipkins (Carrie Co-Dyre) and his nieces Jennifer Stojanov (Greg), Marcy Hipkins (Joey Youssef), Erin Hipkins (Andrew Blair), Shannon Hipkins, together with his great nieces and nephews, Emma, Kate, Sebastien, Lucien, Bianca, Luka and Aria.

Keith attended Ridgetown Public and Ridgetown High School, graduating in 1964 and spent 2 years studying languages at the University of Western Ontario. From there, Keith started a career in banking with Bank of Montreal and Scotia Bank, before going back to university to earn his teaching certificate. Keith spent his entire teaching career, with the Greater Windsor/Essex Board of Education, with a focus on teaching music and French. He retired in 2002, returning to Ridgetown to assist our aging parents.

While Keith lived in Windsor for several years, I’m not sure that his heart ever left Ridgetown. Even before retirement, Keith would commute back home, countless times to teach figure skating, take a lead role in Ridge Player Productions and upon retirement, continued his volunteerism with The Adult Activity Centre, served two terms as Legion President, volunteered his time at Ridgetown high school, working with “kids at risk”, proofread for the Ridgetown Independent News and I’m sure I've overlooked some.

Our father always encouraged, “give back to your community” and no one in our family exemplified this better than Keith.

I want to give a special thanks to Patti Spacil for her selfless and untiring care of Keith.

Per Keith’s wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no service or visitation. A private, family, graveside service will be held at a later date.

In memory of Keith, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Ridgetown.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.

McKinlay Funeral Home

76 Main Street, 

Ridgetown

519 674 3141