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James Roberts Keatley

1939 – 2025

It is with heavy hearts that the family of James Roberts Richard Keatley of River John, commonly known as Jim, shares the news of his peaceful passing at the age of 86 on Friday, January 31st, 2025, in Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital, Tatamagouche, embraced by the love of his family.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 64 years, Florence (MacKay) and son, Richard both of Welsford; grandchildren, Derek Keatley (Megan), River John, April Keatley (Joshua), Stellarton, Tyler Swan (Katie), Westville, Sierra (Christian), Earltown, Parker (Gabryelle), Truro; nephew, Danny Galley (Lyla) Kingston, Ontario; niece, Terry Galley; niece, Sue Galley;  great nephew, Brian Galley (Kylie); great nephew, Frank Galley and great niece, Erin Keatley- Lowles (Andrew); niece, Lynda Keatley-Garey (Mike); great niece, Tracy Garey (Michael); great nephew, Danny Garey, Brownsburg, Quebec; his beloved great-grandchildren, brother and sister in-law, Beulah and Borge Jensen and many more family and friends. Jim was born to the late Phoebe (McQuat) Keatley in Brownsburg, Quebec on January 26th, 1939. Where his love and knowledge for animals started, growing up and spending summers on his grandparents' farm. Jim later joined the Royal Canadian Navy and luckily was stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he met the love of his life, Florence (MacKay) in 1959 at the Armdale Yacht Club. Jim and Florence wed on December 22, 1961, in Lachine Quebec. In the years to come they decided to move the family to live in St. Catherine's Ontario, where their son, Richard Keatley was born. After almost a decade of residing in St. Catherine's the family decided to move to Nova Scotia, building their home, developing the farm and raising their family in Welsford/River John. The farm was registered as Tri-K-Acres, raising beloved goats, horses - and all the other animals who made their way into our hearts forever. Jim devoted his life to being a family man, a carpenter, community volunteer, mentor to many, a great and gentle leader, a loving grandfather and a helping hand to many.

Jim took great pride in all that he did. His love and devotion for his kids kept him heavily involved in anything they desired, and they all shared his love for many hobbies and interests, from coaching and mentoring boxers at the Albion Boxing Club, coaching hockey and getting members to the rink for practices, or the nine consecutive years of 4-H meetings with the Old Barns Club and the River John 4-H organization.

Jim is predeceased by his mother, Phoebe Keatley; brother, Harold Keatley; sister, Doris Galley; nephew, Dean Galley; niece, Joanne Keatley and his father and mother-in-law Mifflin and Dora MacKay.

The family would like to acknowledge great thanks and appreciation for Dr. Dan MacDonald and the nursing staff at the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital for the kindness and compassion showed to Jim.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia, Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital or the IWK.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 8th, 2025, from 1:30pm until time of Funeral Service at 2:30pm both from Salem United Church in River John with a reception to follow. Spring interment in Mountain Road Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Coulter's Funeral Home in Tatamagouche.