1925
Robert
2013
Robert Harold Keith
December 10, 1925 — April 22, 2013
WEST BOYLSTON – Robert Harold Keith, 87, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2013 at St. Vincent Hospital after an illness. He was born in Holden, the son of Willard F. and Edith M. (Howe) Keith and was a lifelong resident of West Boylston.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Ruth Evelyn (Peterson) Keith; a son, Randall H. Keith and his wife Patricia of West Boylston; two daughters, Linda S. Blake and her husband Edward of Milford and Lisa C. Hartman and her husband Richard of Douglas; a sister, Norma C. Wiggin of Brookfield; four grandchildren, Linnea and Christian Blake and Alissa and Jessica Anderson; three nieces, Deborah and Diane Wiggin and Julie Ingram; two nephews, Cliff and Steven Ingram; and many cousins.
Robert graduated from Major Edwards High School in West Boylston and attended Norwich University in Vermont. He later graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA, where after fifty years you are automatically a member of “The Old Guard”. After graduation, Robert worked at White Brothers in Quincy before returning to the family business, Pinecroft Dairy, until he retired in 1996. He started making ice cream there in 1950 and after the business was sold to Bergson Ice Cream and Sandwich Shops in 1979, he continued making ice cream until he retired.
He was a member of New England Ice Cream Retailers Assoc. and was its secretary for several years. He also was a member of the National Ice Cream Retailers Assoc. where he was elected to serve on the board of directors of the membership committee. Robert was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and the Patriots. Robert and Evelyn bowled in the Pinecroft Dairy League for many years. Antique cars was a passion of his and he owned three Franklins and a Pierce Arrow over the years. He belonged to the H.H. Franklin Car Club and was a member of the Old Car Club, Inc. in Northborough where he served as treasurer for several years. He was a member of the West Boylston Historical Society, the West Boylston Senior Citizens where he volunteered as a driver for the Meals on Wheels program and he also was a member of the First Congregational Church of West Boylston. Bob and Evy loved to travel to many places around the country and to Scotland and Sweden.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A memorial service for Mr. Keith will be held on Friday, April 26, at 1:30 p.m., in the funeral home. A private committal service will be held at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 or West Boylston Fire Dept., Ambulance Fund, 39 Worcester Street, West Boylston, MA 01583. To share a memory or offer an online please sign the guestbook on this page.
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He leaves his wife of 64 years, Ruth Evelyn (Peterson) Keith; a son, Randall H. Keith and his wife Patricia of West Boylston; two daughters, Linda S. Blake and her husband Edward of Milford and Lisa C. Hartman and her husband Richard of Douglas; a sister, Norma C. Wiggin of Brookfield; four grandchildren, Linnea and Christian Blake and Alissa and Jessica Anderson; three nieces, Deborah and Diane Wiggin and Julie Ingram; two nephews, Cliff and Steven Ingram; and many cousins.
Robert graduated from Major Edwards High School in West Boylston and attended Norwich University in Vermont. He later graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA, where after fifty years you are automatically a member of “The Old Guard”. After graduation, Robert worked at White Brothers in Quincy before returning to the family business, Pinecroft Dairy, until he retired in 1996. He started making ice cream there in 1950 and after the business was sold to Bergson Ice Cream and Sandwich Shops in 1979, he continued making ice cream until he retired.
He was a member of New England Ice Cream Retailers Assoc. and was its secretary for several years. He also was a member of the National Ice Cream Retailers Assoc. where he was elected to serve on the board of directors of the membership committee. Robert was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and the Patriots. Robert and Evelyn bowled in the Pinecroft Dairy League for many years. Antique cars was a passion of his and he owned three Franklins and a Pierce Arrow over the years. He belonged to the H.H. Franklin Car Club and was a member of the Old Car Club, Inc. in Northborough where he served as treasurer for several years. He was a member of the West Boylston Historical Society, the West Boylston Senior Citizens where he volunteered as a driver for the Meals on Wheels program and he also was a member of the First Congregational Church of West Boylston. Bob and Evy loved to travel to many places around the country and to Scotland and Sweden.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A memorial service for Mr. Keith will be held on Friday, April 26, at 1:30 p.m., in the funeral home. A private committal service will be held at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 or West Boylston Fire Dept., Ambulance Fund, 39 Worcester Street, West Boylston, MA 01583. To share a memory or offer an online please sign the guestbook on this page.
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