Kevin Douglas Betts

Kevin Douglas Betts passed away peacefully in his home at the Cannifton Road condos in Belleville on March 2, 2025, with his sister Shari and eldest son Dave at his side.
Born May 19, 1954, Kevin attended Moira Secondary School (where he happily accepted a deal from his principal offering the rest of his grade 9 credits in exchange for him not coming back), later earning his GED as an adult and completing a course in Law and Security. He spent many years with CN Railway, rising to Foreman on a construction crew and then later became a transport driver, a job he loved doing. He always enjoyed being on the open road, travelling from one place to the next. For the last 20 years he served—voluntarily but with the diligence of a full-time job—as President of the Trent-Moira Co-Operative Estates, the condominiums where he lived for the past 3 decades. Residents relied on his friendly face, his prompt plowing of the parking lots through every winter storm, and his firm but fair guidance whenever community rules were tested. For years he worked to expel drug dealers and criminals who took advantage of the Co-Op and made the community a less-safe place for families. He successfully accomplished this in the last year of his life, one of his lasting legacies.
Kevin’s greatest passion, though, was delighting children. Year after year he donated his time to don the red suit as Santa Claus. He loved being with children, from babies to teens, with his appearances as Santa. His suit was kept in perfect condition, and he told more than one child to “pull my beard” if they ever expressed doubt about his credentials. He took pride in listening to kids on their level, in crafting magic from simple moments, and in never charging a cent for the joy he gave. He was so amazing as Santa that it wasn’t until his grandchildren, who delighted in seeing Santa every year, were in double digits that Ashton was looking at old Christmas photos and asked “Wait… Was Poppa Santa Claus!?”
He was a man of quick wit and good humour—never shy about sounding absolutely certain even when he was making things up—and he reveled in the resulting confusion. He joked incessantly about his own importance; if you were to ask who he had been talking with on the phone he was likely to deadpan answer “The President”. He passed his love of baffling people with conversation onto his son Jason, but he didn’t meet his match until attempting to argue nonsense with his granddaughter Mae, the one person from whom he was happy to accept “defeat”. He loved Mae’s quick, and biting wit, and he marvelled at Ashton’s consideration and concern for others. His bond with his son Dave was undeniable and the two of them were as close as son and father can be. They shared everything over the decades they were together.
Kevin was very close with all his family, especially his brother Jamie who had moved back to Ontario and often had Kevin visit him and Tracey. Usually Jamie had an excuse, such as building a deck, but it seemed that it was more important that they were together than what they were doing. Over the years Kevin took in many family members, including his siblings when they were younger, and sometimes their children. His younger brother Steve lived with him and his children for many years after a traumatic brain injury, which brought them closer than ever. He was seen as someone who could be trusted to help his family get on the right path, sharing his wisdom and his love. He helped family to find their best selves.
Kevin is survived by his sons Dave and Jason. He loved Jason’s wife Betty (at least) as much as his son and was absolutely smitten with their children Ashton and Mae. He is lovingly remembered by his older brother Ted Betts (Karen), and his younger sister Shari Betts-Richard (JR). To Shari, Kevin was an older brother and a father figure. She loved Kevin very much and her support and presence meant more than can be expressed over the last months of his life. His oldest brother Ted travelled far to stay with Kevin and Dave during the early days of Kevin’s diagnosis. The kindness Ted showed Kevin was always hidden behind sarcasm and insults, but Kevin wouldn’t have accepted it any other way. Watching two brothers make fun of each other, and support each other, after so much time meant a lot to Dave and Jason. Despite, or perhaps because of, their divorce Kevin is also fondly remembered and survived by Cynthia Irish and her husband Bryon Irish, who he got along with so well that Kevin referred to Bryon as his “husband-in-law”. He was also loved by many nieces and nephews whom he loved deeply.
He was predeceased by his mother, or “Ma”, Ferna J. Betts who he cared for so often and loved so much; and his brothers Steve Betts (Colleen) and Jamie Betts (Tracy).
A Celebration of Kevin:
A celebration of Kevin’s life will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Hillcrest Community Centre (69 Centre St, Belleville). All who knew him—family, friends, and condominium neighbours alike—are warmly invited to share stories, laughter, and a toast to a man who made every gathering brighter.
In lieu of flowers, Kevin would have insisted you simply go out of your way to brighten a child’s day. He would also have gladly accepted you making a sarcastic comment toward a sibling, your own or one of his. Feel free to honour his memory however feels right to you.