Obituary of Keith Alderson

Alderson, Joseph “Keith” passed away on Nov. 22, 2022, at Woodingford Lodge, Woodstock in his 95th year. Eldest son of the late Ernest and Sarah (Wright) Alderson. Beloved husband of the late Iris (Betteridge) Alderson who died in 2008. Predeceased by devoted son, Joseph Alderson in 2019. Loving father of Barbara (Dan) Irvine and Judy (D’Arcy) Irvine. Dearly missed by his grandchildren Chad Irvine, Dana Wills (Tanner), Candice Irvine (Todd Pearson), Nicholas Irvine, Curtis Irvine (Christine Ly), and Hilary Irvine (Jon Locs) as well as his great-grandchildren, Thomas, Charlotte, Olivia, and Eleanor. He is predeceased by his sister Pat Ross and brothers Wink, Jim and his stepsister, Evelyn Thom. 

Keith was born Jan. 13, 1928, on the family farm near Kintore where he lived for 93 years. He left school after Grade 8 to help run the farm, as his father, Ernie, suffered from poor health. While continuing to farm he apprenticed as a tinsmith with Nelson Hopson in Kintore in the late 1940s. After upgrading his plumbing and heating qualifications at night school in London he eventually established Alderson Plumbing and Heating, which served the wider Kintore area for many years. Keith’s devotion to farming lasted well into his 80s.

Keith always enjoyed music, especially country/bluegrass music and learned to play guitar and five-string banjo. In the early 1990s Keith and Iris purchased a motorhome so they were able to travel, always with musical instruments, throughout Ontario and as far away as the east coast to meet other musician friends at jamborees, music festivals and Sunday morning gospel jams. Closer to home, family jam sessions were an eagerly anticipated Christmas tradition.  

Genealogy became an important part of life for Keith and Iris. They left their families a rich legacy of family stories and pictures. Referencing their vast collection of local history, they worked tirelessly on the committee which would publish “East Nissouri Township: People, Perseverance, Progress” in 2012. 

A tremendous thank you to Woodingford Lodge, Woodstock staff for their kind and compassionate care.  A private family interment will take place at Kintore Presbyterian Cemetery. Visitation will be Sat. Nov. 26 from 2-4 pm at Chalmers United Church, Kintore.  As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Kintore Chalmers United Church  or the Canadian Cancer Society.