Memorable man of murals
Artist remembered for his generosity towards community
One of Whitney Pier’s most beloved artists has died.
John Keith Baldwin, 61, passed away on Monday evening at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital after an illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was the son of the late John David and Eileen (Mizzi) Baldwin.
His girlfriend Avern Brown confirmed his passing on Tuesday afternoon while she was having Baldwin’s portrait tattooed on her right forearm in his memory.
“He was a gentleman among gentlemen,” she said. “Nobody knew he was sick - he was a very private person …People are just shocked - it’s a big loss to our community.”
Baldwin, a master tattooist and retired steelworker who also worked in the oil industry, was perhaps best known for his sprawling, nostalgic murals of Whitney Pier, painted on the
“He was an artist, he was a master tattoo artist and he was a great contributor to Whitney Pier. You can’t say that about a lot of people - there’s lots of armchair critics and very few people who step forward.’’
Alan Nathanson
sides and within several buildings in the community. Some of those murals were commissioned by the Friends of Neville Park Society.
The society’s Alan Nathanson says the whole community will miss Baldwin greatly.
“Whitney Pier has suffered a tremendous loss,” said Nathanson. “Keith in a very quiet but
visible way contributed greatly to our community. He never said no to requests to help the community.”
In addition to the murals, Baldwin also designed a series of T-shirts that the society sold to raise money.
“He’s going to be so missed in the community - he really did a lot,” said Nathanson. “He was an artist, he was a master
tattoo artist and he was a great contributor to Whitney Pier. You can’t say that about a lot of people - there’s lots of armchair critics and very few people who step forward.
“It’s just unbelievable, shocking.”
Visitation will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Redeemer Church on Friday at 10 a.m. with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Following the mass, refreshments will be served in the funeral home reception area. Interment will take place at a later date.