Darcy McKeough, a fixture in Ontario politics in the 1960s and ’70s and prominent business leader, is being remembered for his unwavering service to the community.
Advertisement 2
Article content
McKeough died Nov. 29 at age 90, according to an obituary.
Article content
After serving on Chatham city council in the early 1960s, he jumped to provincial politics. First elected in 1963, he was Progressive Conservative MPP for Kent West and Chatham-Kent for 15 years.
In the cabinet of premiers John Robarts and Bill Davis, nicknamed “minister of everything” by some colleagues, he served as treasurer, economics and intergovernmental affairs minister, and municipal affairs minister.
McKeough retired from politics in 1978 and returned to the private sector. He would be heavily involved in the energy sector, including as president and chief executive of Union Gas and a member of Hydro One’s board.
He also had his own companies, McKeough Investments and McKeough Supply.
Advertisement 3
Article content
In 1994, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his business success and fundraising efforts in education, research, medicine and culture.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said McKeough was a strong example of a life well lived.
“He’s a legend in Chatham-Kent,” he said. “With all the things he did over his lifetime, he will be missed. He was an inspiration to so many of us.”
McKeough “carried so much respect” into his later years and was a wealth of knowledge from a different era in politics, Canniff added.
Monte McNaughton, a former provincial PC cabinet minister, said Canada had “lost a national treasure.”
“I was heartbroken to hear of his passing. He was a trusted friend and resource to me,” McNaughton said by email. “We spoke regularly and were last together for dinner eight weeks ago with TVO’s Steve Paikin (and) our spouses.
Advertisement 4
Article content
McKeough remained engaged in politics and current affairs, he added. They were in touch often, including after McNaughton’s latest big decision.
“I often would receive notes from him giving me advice on my own future, policy ideas or encouragement,” he said. “He would often tell me that his most exciting times in his professional life happened while he was in the political arena.
“He reminded me of that, too, quite bluntly, when I decided to leave government. That was Darcy McKeough: honest, straight-talking and compassionate.”
Speaking from New York on Dec. 1, Doug Sulman, a longtime friend and former municipal councilor, said their families had known each other for generations.
Sulman, who ran McKeough’s 1975 and 1977 election campaigns, said while mourning his friend, he cherished the many memories they shared.
Advertisement 5
Article content
“He’s been my mentor and friend forever,” he said. “I was planning on visiting him next week. Unfortunately, that won’t happen.
“He would regularly send me memos. . . telling me he had an idea about something, or something that needed to be corrected. . . ,” Sulman added. “He was a great public servant. Did wonderful things for the province, the country, and of course, his beloved Chatham-Kent.”
After politics, McKeough never slowed down, and his business acumen and networking skills served him well over the years, Sulman said. Hey had an “enormous” presence, but always made time for others.
“He kept the connections that he had, there’s no question about it,” Sulman said. “A very special person. And a family history of service in the community, too.”
Advertisement 6
Article content
Former cabinet minister Phil Gillies said on Facebook McKeough was “gifted with a brilliant, strategic mind,” and was referred to as “minister of everything” during his tenure.
“Darcy campaigned with me in Brantford in my first campaign in 1977, which was a big deal indeed,” he said. “I always admired Darcy and valued his advice. He will be missed by his many friends across Ontario.”
McKeough was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Joyce Walker McKeough, in 2021, and survived by his sons Walker Stewart McKeough and James Grant McKeough, daughter-in-law Julia Jen and granddaughter Kate Reagan McKeough.
Family and friends are invited to Christ Church, 80 Wellington St. W. in Chatham, Dec. 8, for the visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 am Funeral service will follow with Rev. John Maroney officiating. Interment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to the McKeough Family Maintenance Endowment Fund of either Christ Church in Chatham or the Ridley College Foundation in St. Catharines.
Online condolences may be left at alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca
Article content