Richard V. “Dick” Keyes, Jr. of Newton died July 3, 2016, at Salemhaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salem, NH, after a long period of declining health. He was 90.
A lifelong Newton resident, he was born on Aug. 13, 1925, the son of the late Richard V. Keyes and Margaret A. (White) Keyes. He graduated from Newton North High School in 1944 and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1945. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, Mr. Keyes went to work as a purchasing agent at MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics. He remained at MIT for his entire career and retired in 1987. He was a friendly, gregarious person who was equally interested in hearing the stories of the people he met as in telling his own. He retained his sunny disposition and sense of humor even as his health declined. A devoted family man, he loved his family and friends, the Red Sox, and all things sports related. He was active in coaching Little League Baseball in Newton for many years. He also enjoyed ice skating and swimming. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Theresa (Lefebvre) of Newton Lower Falls; three sons, Thomas Keyes and his wife Gael of Albuquerque, NM, William Keyes and his wife Nancy of Wrentham, and Richard Keyes and his wife Kathy of Bridgewater; a daughter, Margaret Gioia and her husband Stephen of Salem, NH; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a brother, the Rev. Paul T. Keyes of North Andover; sisters-in-law Mary Keyes of Vero Beach, FL, Mary Keyes of Needham, and Mary Ann Keyes of Hingham. He was predeceased by three brothers, Robert Keyes, Raymond Keyes, and Kenneth Keyes; as well as his sister-in-law Jeanne and her husband James Bostwick. Funeral services will be held from the Henry J. Burke Funeral Home, 56 Washington St., (Rte.16), Wellesley Hills, Friday, July 8 at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd., Wellesley at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in the Newton Cemetery, Newton Centre. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home Thursday evening from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Advancement Office, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 (online: www.maritime.edu/give); to the Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 (online: donate.specialolympics.org/secure/make-gift-change-life-massachusetts); or to Salemhaven Nursing and Rehab Center, Activities Department, 23 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079 (online: salemhaven.com/donation.html).