Obituary of Francis Keith

NAUGATUCK- Mr. Francis Thomas Keith, 85, of Naugatuck, passed away on Thursday morning, April 24, 2014 at the Waterbury Hospital. He was the husband of Geraldine "Geri" (Cota) (Stotz) Keith. Mr. Keith was born in New Haven, Feb. 11, 1929, a son of the late Frank and Bertha (Webber) Keith and was educated in the Seymour school system. He enlisted in the Army during WW II where he was assigned to Gen. MacArthur's Headquarters during the occupation of Japan. He also served during the Korean War attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. Active in the communities where he resided, he had served as a Volunteer Firefighter in Seymour for a number of years, and later served with the Beacon Hose Co. in Beacon Falls for over 60 years, He was a former President of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce, a former President of the Seymour Business Assoc., and a past President of the Seymour/Oxford Rotary Club. He and his daughter had operated Teri Travel in Naugatuck; Fran started the business 46 years ago. He was a past Commander, of Post 17, American Legion, and a member of the Veterans Who Care, the Veteran's Council of Naugatuck, and a member of the 102nd Inf. Regiment of New Haven. Besides his wife, Geri, he leaves his daughter, Francine Afonso and her husband Carlos of Naugatuck and his extended family, Sandy Masayda and her husband Steve of Watertown, James Stotz and his wife Sandy of Waterbury, Joe Stotz and his wife Kathy, Bob Stotz and Rebecca Nice all of Naugatuck; two sisters, Louise Milardo and her husband, Matt of Ansonia and Marietta Potter and her husband James of Seymour and a sister-in-law, Doris Burns of Seymour; 8 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Thomas Keith and two foster brothers, Robert Burns, and Daniel Burns. His funeral will be held on Tuesday April 29, 2014 at 11:30 am, at the Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. with the Rev. Leonard J. Kvedas, officiating. At the conclusion of the service, Departmental Honors will be accorded by Beacon Hose Co. A private burial with full military honors will be in the State Veteran's Cemetery. 317 Bow Lane Middletown. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 10:30am until the time of the service. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beacon Hose Co. #1, 35 Main St. Beacon Falls, 06403-1169.