Keith Delmage

Master Warrant Officer (retired) Raymond 'Keith' Delmage passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the age of 80 years after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Keith was born at his grandparents' house (Alfred and Edith Kirby) in the small village of Sedgeford Kings Lynn County, Norfolk, England on October 24, 1944, to Ernest Charles Delmage & Emma Ruth Delmage (nee Kirby). Keith was four and a half months old when his father first saw him when he was on leave after D-Day.

At 18 months of age, five months after Ernie had returned from overseas, Keith and his mother followed, embarking on their journey to Canada on the ocean liner, the Aquitania, used as a troop ship. Six days later, Ruth and Keith arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia at Pier 21. The next day they boarded the train for the three-day journey to Winnipeg. They were met by Ernie and his family at the train station in Winnipeg. Later that day, the young family left Winnipeg on a Greyhound bus for Minnedosa, Manitoba.

The small family lived on the Ross farm in the Cameron district, next to Fred and Flora Gugin who were great supports to the family and helped them adjust to life in Canada. That following fall and winter, they stayed with Alice Delmage, Ernie’s mom, in Minnedosa. In 1947 Ernie and Ruth bought great grandfather Charles Delmage’s homestead in the Cameron District. The family settled in and Keith started school in Cameron. Keith was the eldest of four. Janis Elaine born in 1947, Pamela Lynn in 1951, and Valerie Ruth in 1952.

Keith loved the farm, the animals and the freedom of country life. He grew up loving to hunt and fish and in later years was quite the outdoors-man. Although Keith loved farm life, he also learned that it was a hard life. In 1954, when Keith was ten, his dad left to work for the Department of Defence, Minto Armouries in Winnipeg. His dad said to him that he was now the man of the family and to take care of his mom and the girls. Keith took his responsibilities very seriously and was always at his mom’s side helping her in the garden, milking the cows, feeding the animals, and looking after his three sisters.

Keith had a creative side to him. He could always be found copper tooling, building model airplanes or model ships or drawing in pencil and ink. Keith also played the guitar. He was self-taught and spent hours practicing on his guitar and composing songs for the band he had in high school.

Keith joined the Canadian Forces as a cadet in 1960 at the age of fifteen, with the 12th Manitoba Regiment (Militia) which launched him into his future military career. His best recruit award was one he was extremely proud of.

In 1961, Keith’s dad left the Reserves and returned to the farm. Keith continued to help with farm chores, but in 1963 he left the farm and farm life and transferred to the Regular Force with 2 PPCLI and served with the regiment until 1966 in CFB(Canadian Forces Base) Edmonton. In 1965 he married Leona Nelson. In January 1966, he re-mustered to the Royal Canadian Dental Corps (RCDC) initially as a clerk, then as a dental assistant.

His next posting was CFB Montreal Quebec, and in 1968 Angela Leigh was born. In 1969, while posted in CFB Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Tracy Lee was born. 

 In 1974 Keith, Angela and Tracy moved to CFB Portage-La-Prairie, Manitoba where they made many memories with tea parties, singing while he played the guitar, girl guides and skating.

In 1975 he met Carol Kogan, her son Brent, and daughters Charlene and Sherri. In 1976 Keith was posted to CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba and they were married in January of 1978. That August, they were posted to CFB Lahr, West Germany and he had many adventures with traveling, Lahr Beavers Swim team and raising four teenagers.

In 1983, Keith was posted back to CFB Trenton, Ontario and he culminated his career as the Clinic Co-Ordinator at CFDSS, Canadian Forces Dental Service School at CFB Bordon.

Master Warrant Officer RK Delmage retired from the Canadian Forces in March of 1988 after 25 years of service.

After retirement, Keith began a career in real estate, however in 1990, Keith packed up his Ford truck and moved out to Kelowna, British Columbia with the plan to enjoy the outdoors once again. He eventually settled in Creston, BC and married Joanne Reamsbottom.

He had a great passion for canoeing especially week-long canoe trips with many portages. He also enjoyed hiking, bush camping and cross country skiing. He loved nature and being in the outdoors, but his friends would also say he was very knowledgeable about politics and world news.

In January 2022, Keith moved back to Brandon, Manitoba and found a wonderful community at Riverheights Terrace and was once again with his girls and family which was important to him.

His next passion was his scooter which gave him freedom and adventure with his scooter buddies.

Keith is now finding a river to put his canoe on, a mountain trail to hike, a campfire to play his guitar around, and a dance floor to whisk his pretty lady on and free from everything that held him back. He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend to so many.

He is survived by daughter Angela Leigh Doherty (nee Delmage) (Gary) grandchildren Kaitlyn Campbell (Jesse) and Ryan Doherty (Dani), daughter Tracy Lee Delmage, (step)-son Brent Kogan (Karen, Elizabeth and Lauren) and granddaughters Emily (Raven) and Rachel, (step)-daughter Charlene Calwell (nee Kogan) (John) grandson Brendan Calwell (Ashley) great-granddaughter Dominika, and grandson Ty Calwell (Renee).

Also survived by sister Janis Wahoski, nieces and nephews Dave Wahoski, Matt Wahoski (Kim), Rylan, Jadyn and Brooklyn, Myles Wahoski, Dane Wahoski, Wendy Hughes (Greg), Conner Hughes (Brittany) and Maverick, Brandon Hughes, sister Pam Campbell (Ken), nieces and nephews Jenny Campbell, Whitney Bilodeau (Paul) Maya and Ella, and sister Val Wickdahl (Earl), nieces and nephews Coleen Wickdahl (Leslie), Koreen Miko (Terrace), Erica and Dylan.

So many other special people who he considered extended family, Gib and Lyn Bell, Lori, Dorothy, Uncle Bill, Greg, Alex, Dave, Stuart, and many more at Riverheights Terrace, Vern and Ruth English, Leona Nelson (Don), Carol Delmage, BC family Joanne Delmage, Tim, grandson Kobi, Terry, grandson Tyler, Gord, Gerry and Diane, Ed, Dave, George, Deiter, and so many more.

Keith was predeceased by his parents Ernie and Ruth Delmage, Sherri Kogan, Norman Wahoski and Mighty Maxwell Bilodeau, who helped him get to his next adventure.

Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Riverheights Terrace, Brandon, Manitoba. Interment at the Minnedosa Cemetery will be held at a future date in the summer.

Donations in Keith’s memory may be made to the Minnedosa Legion, Branch #138 or Ride Inside in support of Manitoba Kids with Cancer.

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