Obituary of Keith Battist

BATTIST, Keith Lyons Brook Lester Keith Battist, formerly of Lyons Brook, passed away on August 3, 2021 in Palliative Care at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow. He was a son of the Late Lester and Ethel Battist (Innes) of Lyons Brook. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his two daughters, Cathy Gunn (David), Carman Manitoba; Shelly Maclean (Donald), Hinton AB; and chosen sons, Steve Crossman, (Debbie), Lyons Brook and Ken Wentzell (Peg), Hammonds Plains. Also left behind are cherished grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kaylee, (John), Taylor, Jordan (Julian), Jennifer, Diana, Ellen, Stephen, Michael, Laura; and great grandsons, Henry and Amias; his sister-in-law, Audrey Gordon; and brother-in-law, Ken MacKay; niece, Jaren Gordon (Vince), Ft. Mac, AB; and nephews, Todd Gordon (Grace), Salmon Arm, BC and James, Saskatoon SK. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Jackie; in-laws, Gerald and Nora MacKay; and step mother, Bessie Battist. He grew up and spent most of his married life in Lyons Brook. Keith was a Physical Education Teacher at West Pictou District High School for 34 years and spent the first year of his career at Brookfield High. He used to hitch hike to Pictou to play hockey for that winter. When the game was over he hitch hiked back (thus the love of sports). On retirement he was able to spend 6 months in Nova Scotia and 6 Months in Florida for 22 years until ill health forced him to remain in Nova Scotia and live full time at Settlers Point. In 2016 he moved to the Westville Road at Quinner Court. During the years he coached, over a hundred teams and numerous students were given the opportunity to play sports at West Pictou. Over the past 4 years he has resided at Glen Haven Manor, Valley View Villa and Shiretown Nursing Home. At each of those nursing homes he met a lot of folks who always called him Mr. Battist because he had been their teacher. It was hard for some to finally call him Keith. He had a lifelong love for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Red Sox. His other love was music. There was always a guitar close by along with the other instruments that he played. When he no longer could play, he had wireless headphones and a ghetto blaster so he could still listen to the music. Then along came Alexa. All he needed was to speak to her and she played whatever he wanted. When he was unable to speak someone had to ask Alexa to play for him. If any of the retired teachers out there taught with Keith they must remember the “joke of the day”. We also hear there were a lot of Staff Room antics that went on at West Pictou. Many thanks to the staff and Doctors of all the nursing homes mentioned above. All the staffs are special because most of us folks cannot look after a loved one as well as you can. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To Palliative Care……we saw the wings on your backs growing as you took such special care of Keith. Thank you. You all made it so much easier for us through the night. He will always be remembered for his sense of humour, love of family, sports and of course, his music. Keith, we will see you on the other side. Rest Well. No flowers by request. Donations may be made to CARMA (Cat Rescue Maritimes New Glasgow Branch) or the Palliative Care Unit at the Aberdeen Hospital. There will be no viewing and a family funeral will be held at a later date. www.mclarenfuneral.ca