| Keith Hamilton Reynolds - His Journey Keith Hamilton Reynolds, most recently residing at 66 Robert Road in Brewster, Massachusetts passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 1, 2004 while recovering from a recent stroke. Grandson of New Zealand's dairy butter pioneer and visionary Henry Reynolds who launched the Anchor Butter brand, Keith Reynolds was eighty-four years old at his death which brought to close a life journey that brought him around the world and home to the simple truths about a meaningful life-long journey. He is survived by his wife Hazel and his five children, Andrew, Jane, Peter, Paul and Irene, as well as eleven grandchildren, four great grandchildren and thirty-eight nieces and nephews. Keith Reynolds' life will be celebrated at special services Friday May 7th starting at 9:30 a.m. at Nickerson Funeral Home in Orleans, MA. For more information, please visit http://www.fablevision.com/keithreynolds. After his father Harry Reynolds moved the family's business activities from New Zealand to Argentina, Keith Reynolds was born in Tandil, Argentina on November 22, 1919, the third youngest of eight siblings. The children included Hugh, Geoffrey, Michael, John, Tony, Betty and Bryan - of whom only Bryan Reynolds survives and currently resides in Buenos Aires. When their mother passed away, six-year old Keith took the three week ocean voyage to England with five of his older brothers to attend and board at St. Georges College in Weybridge Surrey. There he grew up, studied and eventually served in World War II, where he was stationed with the British 8th Army in North Africa as part of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. After his duty in World War II, Keith married London-based Hazel Gasson in 1949 and enjoyed 54 years of happy marriage. While launching several businesses in the London area after the war, the couple had two children - Andrew and Jane. They lost one child Margaret Mary who died at birth, but who remained a constant source of strength to Keith to whom he prayed to until his final days. After moving to Canada in the late 50's, Keith and Hazel added twins Peter and Paul to the fold when the identical pair was born in Weston, Ontario. In 1963, Keith joined a start-up biomedical firm called Instrumentation Laboratories, which necessitated a move to the U.S. Initially headquarted in Watertown, Mass, the firm eventually moved to larger facilities in Lexington, MA. where Reynolds served as a financial executive until his retirement in 1984. While initially residing in Somerville, MA., where the couple added their fifth child Irene, during most of his years working at IL the young family grew up in Chelmsford, MA. It was here that Keith became very involved in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as an adult leader in Troop 77 based at St. Mary's Church in Chelmsford, MA. After permanently retiring to Cape Cod in 1984 where the couple had camped and cottaged for nearly twenty-five years, Keith and wife Hazel also traveled the globe, from L.A. to London. But Keith's real home was his garden under the scraggy pines full of well-fed birds and only three minutes from the ocean he loved to swim in daily. It was the simple things that brought him the most joy - his family, camping, nature and problem-solving for others. This impish English gentleman, in his tie, vest and suit jacket who would flash a mischievous grin while his eyes sparkled and say the most unexpected things. Indeed, his dry, quirky British humor was his trademark as he pottered around performing his constant odd jobs in his own house and the countless Cape cottage residents and visitors almost all of whom he called "George." Keith was a tinkerer and problem-solver - in business and at home. Along with inventing the LugOff™ tire changer for which he was awarded a U.S. patent, he also loved using his skills to help others in need. Keith would love to hear a neighbor's squeaky door - that meant getting his WD40 oil for a quick fix. If he saw a latch loose, he'd find his screw driver. A broken dish meant a dash for the Epoxy glue. Keith loved the snow because he could plow. He loved the pine needles, because he could rake. He loved the spring because he could plant his famous cherry tomatoes. Keith never complained. It just wasn't his style. And to make Keith really happy, you'd only need bring him a little treat - anything from a chocolate bar or some Dunkin donuts, a cup of tea, some Rollo candies, or a pack of Lifesaver candies - and he'd beam. Because this was a man, despite a wealthy family and traveling around the world pioneering new businesses and exploring new lands, who understood that home really IS where the heart is. For Keith Reynolds, a man who never once vacationed away from his own children as they grew up, the center of the universe was right where the simplest things could be found. Real happiness was right in his own bird-filled garden full of ocean breezes, grateful neighbors and friends and most especially his growing and loving family. Keith's life-long voyage is over, but his spirit of love, humor, dedication to family and to the things that matter will be a source of inspiration to the many hundreds who had the joy to meet him. For more details on Keith Reynolds, voyage to http://www.fablevision.com/keithreynolds. Funeral
and Memorial Details On Friday May 7th, a special pre-Mass service will begin at 9:30a.m. at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldridge Park Way, Orleans, MA, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Cape at 468 Stony Brook Road, in Brewster, MA. Burial will follow in Brewster Memorial Cemetery.
|