Frederick W. Keck, Jr. 80, of 961 High Street, Bradford, passed away, Thursday, August 31, 2023, at The Pavilion @ BRMC, surrounded by his loving family.
Fred was a man of few words but endless ways to solve a problem; his calming presence and illimitable wisdom will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know him.
Born September 29, 1942, in Coudersport, he was a son of the late Madeline (Dumahoski) Keck and Frederick William Keck Sr.
Fred was a 1961 graduate of Austin High School, and on March 19, 1963, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in Vietnam and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged on May 10, 1967. Serving his country was one of Fred’s proudest honors, second only to “being there for his girls.”
He married Ruth M. (Smith) Keck, who survives, on April 24, 1965, in Bradford, where the two raised their family.
Nothing was unfixable to Fred, which eventually led him to working at Emporium Specialty, Colligan Water, followed by a 41-year career at Georgia Pacific until he eventually retired as Facilities Maintenance Supervisor.
Fred relished the changing seasons and rolling hills of rural Pennsylvania, including the one out behind his house where you could often find him tending his tomato plants or riding his tractor. He enjoyed hunting, umpiring baseball games, fishing in veteran’s tournaments, and boating on the Kinzua Dam. He will be remembered for being an ardent supporter of the Buffalo Bills, attending and tailgating at games. He and his wife had traveled throughout the United States, and often took cruises to Alaska.
Fred’s fandom for Bills football was rivaled only by his penchant for attending cross-country and track and field meets, dance recitals, gymnastics competitions and various sporting events in which his loved ones participated.
Surviving in addition to his wife Ruth of 58 years, are four daughters, Lisa Keck, of Bradford, twin daughters, Kathy (Steve) Kloss, of Bradford, and Kimberly (John) Kelly II, of Tacoma, WA, and Cindy Rhoades, of Marysville, MI, seven grandchildren, Dr. Caitlin (Garrett McEwen) Szczupak, Alexandra Szczupak, Tyler Tingley, Joseph Tingley, Samantha Rhoades, Gabriella Campogiani, and Madeline Kloss, two great-grandchildren, William McEwen, Vanessa McEwen, one sister, Glenda Keck, of Apollo, one brother, Joseph Keck, of Roulette, one sister-in-law Nancy Keck, of Austin, several nieces and nephews and several grand nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Walter Keck.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 33 South Avenue. At Noon funeral services will be held with Fr. Jim Gutting, of St. Bernard Church, officiating, Following the service Military Honor’s will be accorded at Willow Dale Cemetery, by members of the United States Navy and the Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 108 of Bradford.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Honor Flight Program for Veterans at P.O. Box 426, Clarence, NY, 14031.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com