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daffodils’, in the Valley of a Million Bulbs!” Keith was born in Devon and eventually became an RAF pilot, where he rose to the rank of Squadron Leader serving in Malaysia and piloting a Canberra Aerial Reconnaissance aircraft, amongst other things. He left the service in 1976 to start a new life


and career in finance in Canada. He settled in Ottawa and, although he became a Canadian citizen, he returned for regular visits to Sidmouth, where his mother had retired. After her death, he regularly stayed in her small flat and described Sidmouth as the picture-perfect English resort. He even became a member of the Rotary club and supporter of the Sid Vale Association (SVA), Britain’s oldest civic society founded in 1846. Then, on a trip to the UK in 2007, he was given


the devastating news he had lung cancer. He urgently gathered civic leaders to discuss the gift before changing his will. Keith, who was divorced with no children, left £1.5million in cash and £800,000 in property to


the SVA after his death in early 2008. His will stated that the capital should remain


untouched but each year the estimated £120,000 interest should be spent on sprucing up Sidmouth and the nearby villages of Sidford and Sidbury. Around £400,000 of Mr Owen’s money has


already been spent on youth projects, including a new scout hut. Now volunteers are getting ready to complete the first phase of the planting project, sowing £166,000 worth of daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses and other bulbs. Mr Bennett added: “Keith believed in the wise use of money and those who are critical of his decision to leave the money to Sidmouth should consider who had worked for it. “It was his to spend and at the end of his days he decided in his will that his money should be made available for the benefit of the community of Sidmouth. “We applaud his generosity, and hope that others will follow his example.”


PHOTO: Keith Owen, 2012. Acknowledgment to The Sid Vale Association


Main picture: The Parade has Begun by Chiot’ .com, Flowers by Benn Gunn Baker@flickr


Above top – bottom: Esplanade Sidmouth, Devon, UK by elsa11@ flickr


s Run@flickr .com


Farewell Magazine 25


.com,


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