EAST SYRACUSE – Charles “Charley” L. Keast, 89, of East Syracuse, NY passed away peacefully on January 2, 2023. He was born to Mildred and William J. Keast on March 9, 1933 in Pleasant Mount, PA.
Charley was a man of many talents. His gardens were a thing of beauty, and he shared his harvest with family, friends, and colleagues. Charley loved being in the kitchen, and his baked goods were legendary. He would proudly tell you that he didn’t use recipes. His rhubarb coffee cake was absolutely the best, and no matter what he was baking or cooking, Charley always made plenty to share.
He was an outstanding athlete who enjoyed basketball, bowling, and softball; later in life he discovered a passion for golf. Charley participated in the Empire State Senior Games, competing in golf, bowling and shuffleboard, and winning medals in all three events. He was inducted into the Wayne Area Sports Hall of Fame in September 2000.
Charley made his own wine and plenty of it. There was grape, rhubarb, pink Catawba, and dandelion, and yes, it had a kick! His rhubarb wine was a ribbon winner at the New York State Fair! Thanks to the priests at the local Catholic churches he never had to worry about finding bottles to use – they saved all of their empties for Charley.
He served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1954 – 1957. After that, he enrolled at Wilkes College and graduated in 1961 with a BS in Commerce and Finance. From there, it was onto a career with Agway, which took him to Ithaca and finally Syracuse. He worked as a corporate accountant for many years and finished the last part of his career as the controller for Telmark, a division of Agway.
Charley and his wife Marilee loved to camp and spent their summers at campsites in parks throughout New York and the northeast. In 2013 they decided to purchase a new trailer and rent a seasonal site at Brennan Beach in Pulaski, which they enjoyed for a number of years. Together, they volunteered for the Empire State Senior Games and the Games for the Physically Challenged. He was a lector at St. Mary’s Church for many years and was a member of the East Syracuse Lions Club. His love of the New York Yankees was second to none and he was also a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys and coach Tom Landry. During basketball season he cheered on the Syracuse Orange men and “his girls,” the UConn women’s basketball team.
Most of all, Charley was happiest being a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He had a quiet strength about him. He was a fierce protector of those he loved. He was a calming presence and a safe place when life was hard. His devotion to his family was inspiring.
Charley is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marilee; his daughters, Karen Keast (Dana), Charlene Laughlin (Richard), and Jackie Jarvis; his son, William Keast (Jackie); and his grandchildren, Lillian and William Keast. He is also survived by his sisters, Geraldine Villaume of Newtown, PA, and Lillian Piercy of Honesdale, PA; and sister-in-law, Clara Keast of Waymart, PA; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
Charley was pre-deceased by his first wife, Katharine Keast; by his brothers, Byron Smith and Arthur Keast; and by his sisters, Shirley Bennett and Faye Schmitt.
A calling hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2023 at St. Mary’s Church, 401 North Main Street, Minoa with a funeral mass to follow at 11am and burial with military honors in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charley’s memory may be made to the Minoa Fire Department, 240 North Main Street, Minoa, NY 13116.
For guest book, please visit: www.scheppfamily.com. R.H. SCHEPP & SON, Minoa, 315-637-3214
