Garry Keasty obituary (Keatsy)

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DescriptionGarry Keast,universally known as Keasty, has a memorial service in Christchurch today and many like me have good memories of the Railway in Hokitika on racing trips in the 80’s and his lengthy management of the Bush Inn at Riccarton and interests in other hotels at various times.

In Christchurch, especially, Keasty one of the old fashioned publicans, put his existing patrons before any noisy or annoying visitors. Many a publican would have taken the business but he would excommunicate them rather than have any disruption for the locals.

This didn’t always go down well but Keasty was not a man to be trifled with when push came to shove and his judgement would come to be respected. He was not afraid to speak out to the media either when his interests were at stake temporary earthquake workers causing trouble in community and underage drinking campaigns by officialdom being two examples.

However one personal memory is mixed.

While over for the races at Hokitika many moons ago I was introduced to a Keast Railway Hotel special- a Long Island Iced Tea.

It was made up in jugs -imagine that in the PC age- and consisted of five white spirits and a dash of coke. The thought of drinking gin,vodka, white rum, tequila and cointreau mixed together was rather frightening for a beer drinker but in a convivial atmosphere an attractive novelty. The price was a bargain too considering the cost of production.

To my surprise it tasted wonderful . Some drank through straws and others from a glass but the potency of such a mixture meant you wouldn’t want to try too many. I think I must have.

The next morning when I woke I felt like death warmed up. Keasty was a curse word. I was supposed to be working at the races and I honestly didn’t know how I was going to make it.

Good old West Coast weather saved me. There was rain during the night but really wild in the morning. The decision was made to abandon the racing.

All I had to do was to crawl into Bruce Craik’s car and suffer through the three hour journey home hoping I wouldn’t throw up on the journey. When I got there I did something I hadn’t done during the day for years and rarely since. I went to bed,to suffer in silence.

Thanks to some persuasive talkers I did try it again. But very sparingly. Fate had saved me once and the warning was taken.

Keasty was a good man,with strong views,but much softer than his professional exterior sometimes seemed. He ran his pubs his way but mixed with a natural kindness and loyalty to his customers friends and family.

May he rest in peace.

(Photo Ch-Ch Press)

Posted January 2026ContributorKyle Webster

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PersonGarry Keasty obituary (Keatsy)

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CommentsLynnette Beirne
That story reminded me of having to drive home to Runanga after a session at the Railway with everyone following working on the Tote and it wasn’t always a straight forward trip home because of the drinks he had mixed for us ❤️

Dick Tayler
A special Man and we all enjoyed his company and he was a very good friend of Grizz and loved the Catholics who drank at the Bush Inn
A very special person
DT

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Robin Donaldson
Spoke at Keasty funeral today 45 years I knew .,bloody pain at time but loyalty unquestionably great ? times in Hokitika!

Stephen Foster
He was a good bugger had some great times with him back in the day in Hoki and Chch good memories Rip Keastie

Graeme Barron
So sad to hear of his passing. Old style publican and he was one of the best. Great friend and a straight up gentleman.

Hemi Mason
Wow rip Garry keasty

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Garry Keasty obituary (Keatsy)

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