Brantford’s ever-ready rabbit

“I don’t feel bad for an old guy!"

Keith Cooper was seated on his hospital bed after returning from a CT Scan. He updated the daily health log he keeps and placed the pen in the pocket of his pajamas. Smiling, laughing, with a zest for life you would never guess Keith is 93- years young. 

“I woke up the day before Christmas, at about 4 o’clock in the morning,” Keith recalled. “I felt pain in my chest so I called my daughter Cathy and told her I wouldn’t be going to church. Five minutes later she arrived at my house and took me to the BGH.”

At the emergency department Keith was assessed, “They saw me right away,” according to Keith. “They did every test imaginable and when my physician Dr. Spicer arrived he told me that they were going to keep me.” 

December was quite a month for this popular ‘everyone knows Keith’ and outgoing positive senior. Early in the month I was the guest speaker at the Grand River Kiwanis Club meeting where Keith introduced me- an introduction that I will always remember. When I concluded my speech Keith stood and successfully suggested that others join him in pledging $250 a year to BGH Foundation ‘Ferrero Your Gift Is Good For Life appeal.” Later in the month, just 4- days before Keith was admitted to the hospital, he officially opened the outdoor rink downtown at Harmony Square. 

“Hospital life is good- if you need it,” he quipped. “I am still eating all my Ferrero chocolates; the hospital meals are perfect- there has been only one meal that I didn’t enjoy- and the doctors and nurses are great. I think some people just like to complain. Everything has been really good.”      

Keith figures he has been hospitalized at the BGH perhaps as many as 15 times over the years, saying with his always present smile, Anything that needs cutting I have had done here.”

As a youngster, Keith spent hours playing hockey at the old Arctic Arena that once stood at the foot of the West Street Hill. “Dad built the place in 1924 and I developed my shot by shooting at Les Cooper each afternoon after school. I played junior and senior hockey and actually scored the first penalty shot goal at Maple Leaf Gardens. Back then you had to shoot the puck before you crossed the blue line.”

Keith has been active in Kiwanis for more than 50 years and belongs to both local clubs.

“I am the oldest living past president of the Brantford Kiwanis Club,” he proudly boasts. “When I was 87 I told Dr. Hammerich that he had to keep me alive until I was 90 so I could receive my Legion of Honour Award for 50 years in Kiwanis. He did keep me going and my sister-in-law, Joan Griffin made the presentation.”    

As a Kiwanian Keith helped build the Apps Mill Park and when he retired from Harding Carpets he became the manager of the centre. “I carried all the mattresses- all 52 of them- into the building,” he smiled.

If you get the feeling that Keith never rests- you’re right. “When I get discharged from the hospital I will take it easy. I still bowl every Tuesday. You do things because you like to.”

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs and development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris, is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary and community outreach programs.