Father Keith Langstaff died peacefully in the Lord on October 21 at René Goupil House, Pickering. He was in his 80th year and was a Jesuit for 55 years. The son of Harrison Langstaff and Hazel Burley, he was born in Cornwall, Ontario, January 30, 1944. He entered the Society at Guelph on September 9, 1970, and two years later pronounced first vows. Keith went directly to a two-year regency at Loyola High School, Montreal. In 1974 he began theology studies at Regis College, Toronto, and was ordained on May 28, 1977. His first priestly assignment was a two-year stint at St. Ignatius Parish, Montreal, interrupted by a specially crafted tertianship at Guelph. A passion for liturgy encouraged him to travel to Notre Dame University for liturgical studies for the next two years.
Keith began a longer stay at Guelph in 1981 as a retreat director. In 1985 he embarked on a two-year programme on spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. He returned to Regis College in 1990 for doctoral studies. During this period from 1992 to 1998, Keith was part of the formation faculty at St Augustine Seminary, Scarborough. With his doctorate completed, Keith became – in 1996 – a professor at the Toronto School of Theology. He had moved in 1992 to La Storta Community in Pickering and remained there until he left for Loyola Retreat House at Guelph in 1998. There he conducted retreats and seminars on the liturgy for four years.
A move west to Campion College, Regina, allowed Keith to assume the role of director of pastoral studies and associate professor of theology. In his final apostolic move in 2009, he returned to Pickering. Until his retirement in 2020, he ministered at Martyrs’ Shrine during the open season, conducted retreats at Manresa, engaged in local pastoral ministry, and entertained all through his flamboyant personality.
Keith possessed much energy throughout his Jesuit life, in spite of a diabetic condition. Outspoken, often using colourful language, he tended towards impatience and could be critical of Jesuit life. In later life, he mellowed somewhat and was not opposed to lively conversations, even at his own expense. His last years were difficult as his scooter was taken away for his personal safety, which consigned Keith to a wheelchair.
