Keith Bowler

Keith’s family is saddened to announce his unexpected but peaceful passing on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Keith was born in Dodsland, SK and spent his early years in Dewar Lake, SK before moving to Tichfield, SK in 1945. Trains were a huge part of Keith’s life from a very early age, growing up in a railway family and remained so until his passing. Keith worked in a variety of transportation-related roles during the 1960s until deciding to follow in his dad’s footsteps and began working for CN in 1971, until retiring in 1999. Keith married Fran Osatchoff in 1971 and lived for many years in Massey Place and welcomed the birth of their daughter Joanne in 1976. Keith loved ball of all kinds (baseball, fastball and slo-pitch) and for many years he played with the Hub Automatic slo-pitch team, traveling to many tournaments in Saskatchewan and across Canada. When he wasn’t playing or watching ball, weekends and summer holidays were spent at their cabin at Big Shell Lake with family and friends. Keith and Fran also loved the Blue Jays and he went on a few bus trips in recent years to watch them play in Seattle and Minneapolis. Being a dedicated trainman, Keith and Fran also travelled across Canada by train, in addition to many road trips in their truck. Keith also made annual train trips out to Vancouver. He was also a dedicated walker and spent many hours walking at the Field House for many years. The CARG group were close friends to him and he cherished the many friendships he made. He also volunteered for many organizations throughout his life and would help anyone at any time – all they had to do was ask! Keith was a loving and devoted husband to Fran, who passed away in February 2024. He is survived by his sisters Margaret Duquette and Maureen Anderson, nephews Blair (Sharlene) Duquette, Jeff Brown and Ron (Katie) Hankewich; nieces Rhonda (Gerald) Tornato, Lori (Don) Karnes, Gail (Stu) Cutts, Sharon (Francois) Leblanc and Janice Brown as well as many great nieces and nephews. Keith is predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Mary Bowler, his brother Ken, and in-laws, Allan and Margaret Brown, Peter and Evelyn Hankewich, Terry Anderson and Marcel Duquette. He is also remembered by many close friends. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Sgt. Chad Nolan of the SPS and Coroner Angelo de Ciutiis for their extreme kindness and professionalism during a very difficult time. It’s reassuring to know that Keith is once again reunited with Fran. A private family interment will take place followed by a celebration of life for Keith on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00am at the W.A. Edwards Family Centre, 333 4th Ave N, Saskatoon. Courtesy parking is available across the street at Saskatoon Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cosmo Industries, CARG, or a charity of your choice.