Obituary of Joseph William Keith

Joseph William Keith, age 83, of 8168 State Route 3, Vermontville, NY died Tuesday, December 09, 2008 at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. Born in Vermontville, New York on March 15, 1925, he was the son of Elmore and Mary (Dyer) Keith. He married Emma Lee Goff November 24, 1955 in St. Paul's Church Bloomingdale. She predeceased him on March 2, 2000. Mr. Keith was a graduate of the Saranac Lake High School System; he entered Army Air Forces in 1943. While in the service he was stationed at many places including, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. He received his Refrigeration Degree from the University of Pittsburgh; he flew planes, was a plane mechanic and flew into hurricanes. He also worked in an ammunition plant, Bombsight Mechanic, received the American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Corporal. He owned and operated Music/TV/Appliance Stores in Bloomingdale and Saranac Lake. He worked for Norman's Store in Bloomingdale for many years. He later worked for the American Management Association from 1977 to 1989 until his retirement. He also worked as a Caretaker of many camps in Loon Lake, Onchiota, Franklin Falls and Wilmington. He especially loved his own family's camp in the woods in Vermontville. He is survived by his son Bryan Keith of Vermontville, NY, his daughter LuAnne Riley & husband Tim of Harrietstown, NY, his daughter Teresa Moore and husband John of Old Town, FL, his sister Sr. Charlotte Keith of Lake Placid, NY, his granddaughter Janelle McCormick and husband Jeff of Vermontville, NY, his grandson Wade Holtz of Saranac Lake, NY, and his granddaughter Tiffiny Holtz of Saranac Lake, NY. He was preceded in death by his wife Emma Lee Goff Keith, his father Elmore Keith, his mother Mary Dyer Keith, his brother Patrick Keith, two infant sisters Catherine and Anna Keith and his son-in-law Michael Holtz. Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Thursday, December 11, 2008 from 2PM -4PM and 7PM - 9PM. A Funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday December 12, 2008 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake, with Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Vermontville. Friends wishing to remember Joseph William Keith may make memorial contributions to High Peaks Hospice in care of the funeral home. Family and friends may also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.