Skip to content

KEEGAN, Gilbert Patrick (Pat)

Born January 12, 1919 in Maniwaki, Quebec, Pat Keegan died peacefully on March 23, 2008 at Glenwood Care Centre, Agassiz, B.C. Predeceased by his wife, Elsie (2005) and his granddaughter Janet Nasadyk (1978), Pat is survived by his sisters, Violet Pelot (Gerard) and Beulah Keegan; four daughters: Joyce Keegan, Amelia Cox, Trish Keegan (Bryan Best), and Bev Kennedy (Bob); seven grandchildren: Terrill Scott (Warren), Richard Nasadyk (Karen Zilke), Kevin Cox (Johanne Major), Rod Cox, Darren Kennedy (Lenni), Warren Kennedy, and Scott Kennedy; eight great-grandchildren: Jeremy Scott (Christa), Jesse Scott (Lindsay), Kyle Kennedy, Jake Nasadyk, Caleb Nasadyk, Shelby Kennedy, Nicholas Kennedy, and Joey Kennedy; and four great-great-grandchildren: Zoey Scott, Emily Scott, Quinton Scott, and Cohen Scott; and many nieces and nephews.

Pat started his working life at age 15 as a logger in Quebec. He joined the RCAF in 1941 and was stationed at various locations in British Columbia until 1947, during which time he learned the culinary arts trade. He was cook for Lakeberg Logging (Andy Lakeberg) and Eagle Creek Logging (Buster McCombs) on Harrison Lake in the 1950s. He worked as chef on the DEW Line in the early 1960s, and as chef and camp manager for Cal-Van Canus Catering at various logging, construction, and mining camps in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, N.W.T., and Yemen, Saudi Arabia, throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Pat and Elsie loved the Agassiz-Harrison area, living there in the 1950s, early 60s, early 70s, and moving permanently to Agassiz in1977 where, after a few more years of going out to cook at various camps, they settled down and started PEK Enterprises; many will remember the superb meat pies and other specialty baked goods produced by Pat at this time.

Aside from a short period of driving big rigs in Vancouver and gravel truck for G & M Construction in Harrison Hot Springs, Pat’s second trade was carpentry, which he practiced at different periods during his working life. He built houses, did renovations, and built fine furniture in Vancouver, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, and elsewhere in the Fraser Valley.

Pat liked nothing better than to cook and bake for family gatherings. He was a supporter of the Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society, a member of the local legion, and always interested in the communities in which he lived and worked. He was especially proud to learn to use the computer in his 80s, and at age 88 hooked up to email to communicate with friends and family.

Pat’s family will observe a private celebration of his life. Pat requested that if anyone would like to do so, donations could be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.