Keith WALTON

1929 - 2021

S/L KEITH WALTON, CD (ret'd) RCAF December 11, 1929 - March 17, 2021 As the sun rose on St. Patrick's Day, Keith gently slipped away at home, with Mildred, his beloved wife of 64 years, by his side. Only son of the late Earl Walton and Mary Martin, older brother of the late Jean, father of the late (June 9, 2020) Mary Louise. Dear brother-in-law of Louise (late George Woodland), the late (December 2, 2020) Barbara (late Bud Holtham), and Donald Hawkins (late Carol). Uncle of many cherished nieces and nephews. Raised on an Ayrshire-dairy farm in Scarborough, Ontario, Keith had been born into a family that joined old Scarborough pioneer stock, the Thomsons and Waltons, and the Browns and Martins; the Scots Presbyterians and English Methodists; the stonemasons, farmers, and lead miners, all of whom became farmers on the rich land that now lies under the asphalt and concrete that Scarborough has become. Keith worked on the homestead farm with his father until subdividing of this rich farmland in the late 1940s caused a move to the Newmarket area. Later, in his mid-twenties, with the onset of the Cold War and a vastly increased need for trained military pilots, Keith enlisted in the RCAF, training at Centralia on the de Havilland Chipmunk, an aerobatic successor of the Tiger Moth. After training on Harvards at Claresholm, Alberta, and on CT-133 jets near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Keith earned his wings in June 1956 and then instructed pilots for a year at Claresholm before instructing NATO pilots at Penhold, Alberta, and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. His 20-year Air Force career also included tours with NORAD in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and North Bay, Ontario, and UN Peacekeepers in India and Pakistan, and time in 1967 as one of the Golden Centennaires, precursors of the Snowbirds. While training in Alberta, Keith's eye was caught by a vivacious blonde teacher from Ontario, Mildred Hawkins. The rest, as they say, is history. Through the decades the two remained not just wonderful dance partners, but a solid pairing of life partners into their 65th year of marriage, despite initial concerns by both sets of parents over religious differences - common feelings in those days - Mildred being from the strong Irish Catholic population on Wolfe island. However, all it took to win over Mildred's parents was actually meeting Keith, a quietly competent individual with a gentle sense of humour. After retiring from the military with the rank of Squadron Leader (Major), Keith returned to his farming roots as he, Mildred, and Mary Louise settled down in Mildred's home community on Wolfe Island, on a farm they named Alston Moor after the Walton homestead in Scarborough and ancestral home in northern England. There they continued raising Mary Louise, the apple of Keith's eye. Her return to live across the road after her own retirement brought joy and comfort, which made her sudden death last June all the more wrenching. A very special thanks to all those who made remaining at home possible and comfortable. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no Celebration of Life. Donations to the Wolfe Island Community Medical Clinic would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be given and memories shared at www.gftompkinscentral.ca