Keith True

Keith Lyon Gregorie True

January 16, 1953 – August 15, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the death of Keith True who died peacefully at the age of 72 after a prolonged struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Keith died with his wife, best friend, and love of his life, JoAnne (Lussier) by his side. Keith’s life was rich with people and pursuits that brought him great joy. He forged solid friendships over the years which he valued, many of which spanned several decades beginning from the time he grew up in Ottawa’s Britannia neighbourhood. Circles of friends grew to include work contacts, from both his places of work and JoAnne’s, gourmet groups, fellow travel enthusiasts and cottage neighbours. Countless hours of joy and laughter were spent in their company.    
He loved the work he did as a fire alarm technician and electrician, in particular the projects he completed at TeleSat Canada and the Civic Hospital. Keith was skilled in many ways and generous with assistance to anyone who asked, happily jumping in to provide help with jobs be they electrical, plumbing, construction or mechanical. He loved hockey, both watching and playing the game and was very fond of the league he played in for over a decade, at one point playing 3 games a week. Keith and JoAnne were fortunate to have enjoyed wonderful travel adventures to several countries. Italy was their favourite. Keith loved music and enjoyed a wide range of artists but always returned to the Beatles for his best loved tunes. Keith was passionate about food and enjoyed any kind of eating experience from junk food to fast food to fine dining. There were many events that filled the years, dinner parties and excellent restaurant meals, hundreds of special moments that marked key celebrations, and cherished annual traditions.
Keith enjoyed nature, loved animals and over the years, derived great pleasure from sharing his home with many cats and dogs. Whether mutt or purebred, they were loved equally. His second greatest love was Wolfe Lake, in the Rideau Lakes region outside of Westport, the home established on its north shore, and the cottage community and life style that became such an integral component of his life. It was where the magic happened in his life and where he loved to share time with family and friends. Life was always better at the lake! Carefree days of swimming, boating, water skiing, dining al fresco, and ending the days by watching the most spectacular sunsets from the dock. When the seasons turned, there were long walks through fallen leaves or fallen snow down favourite country roads. There is no doubt that Keith’s soul will rest happily at ‘The Wolfe’. Keith is predeceased by his father Eric and his sister Betty Anne, and is survived by his mother Roberta and his brothers Eric (Nicole) and Tony (Lori), sisters-in-law Lynne (Paul), Michelle (Dave), Lise (Brian) and many nieces and nephews. He will be very fondly remembered by many friends and acquaintances and will be deeply missed.

JoAnne would like to thank the management and health care providers at Hillel Lodge, in particular Dr. Fraser Miller, and nurses Getachew Tsehay & Leena Von for the excellent, compassionate care they delivered to Keith during his time at the Lodge.

You are invited to join in a celebration of Keith's life on Tuesday, September 16 between 2 and 5 pm on the second floor of the Ottawa Mill Street Brew Pub. Remembrances will begin at 2:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Keith’s memory to Parkinson Canada or to the Ottawa Humane Society would be appreciated.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Keith True, please visit our floral store.