Keith Elliott Brazil

Keith Elliott Brazil passed away peacefully on November 8, 2023 at Riverview Health Centre after a lengthy battle with liver cancer. He was 74 years old.

Keith was predeceased by his mother Alice Doreen Brazil (October 26, 1988) and is survived by his wife Doreen Contois, his daughter Tamara Jenkins (Gary) and his grandson and namesake Elliott Jenkins and step grandson Griffin. He also leaves behind to grieve his sister Linda Brazil, his honourary sister Doryce Boddy, his nephew Corey Brazil and his step children and grandchildren Paula Nelson (Brian, Brett and Brittany) and Kirt Contois (Dawn, Landon, Austyn and Kyle)

Keith was born on July 31, 1949, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He spent his youth growing up on Elgin Avenue in central Winnipeg. He attended Victoria-Albert School and Hugh John MacDonald High School. He left his studies early to help support his family and began working for Safeway at the age of 15. Although he never returned to school, he held many jobs with increasing levels of responsibility and eventually rose to Department Head for Loss Prevention at the Hudson’s Bay. He later worked for Manitoba Lotteries in a similar capacity. Keith’s love of security carried on into retirement when he decided to become a security officer at Winnipeg Blue Bomber home games, a sports franchise he supported enthusiastically.

In 1972, Keith married Barbara Young and had one daughter, Tamara in 1974. Although the marriage ended, he and Barb remained dedicated parents and lifelong friends. Keith and his wife Doreen have been together for nearly 45 years. As a couple they enjoyed golfing, travelling, engaging in many competitive card games and killer Trivial Pursuit tournaments with both their families and spending time with their beloved dog Watson.

Throughout his life, Keith enjoyed numerous activities and life events.
He played baseball and even served as a coach for a women’s team.
He golfed as much as possible and loved to be outside in the warm weather. He enjoyed classic war movies, old Hollywood glamour and music of all kinds. He never missed a parent/teacher conference while Tamara was growing up. He was a proud papa at Tamara’s wedding in 2010 and an even prouder grandpa when Elliott was born in 2012. Keith could always be counted on to be a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague and friend. Quick with a joke or to pour you a drink, he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a fighter and faced his cancer bravely, remaining hopeful until the end.

In keeping with his wishes, no formal funeral is being immediately planned. However, a Celebration of Life memorial event will take place in summer 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a donation to a charity of your choice in Keith’s memory.