Gerald F. Keith

    Gerald F. Keith, 87, of Main Street died January 18, 1999 at the Teresa House in Geneseo. He is survived by his daughter, Eugenie M. Keith of Seymour, CT; son and daughter-in-law, Frederick and Barbara Keith of North East, MD; grandson, Brian Keith; brother-in-law, Floyd Seamans; sister-in-law, Doris Keith; several nieces and a nephew.

    Mr. Keith, owner of the Keith Press, published the Caledonia Advertiser and the Scottsville News for 40 years, from 1949 to 1989. The editorial office was located on Main Street in Caledonia. His late wife, Eugenie Keith, assisted Mr. Keith in the publishing business. The two also operated a printing business at the same location.

    Mr. Keith's integrity and high editorial standards were responsible for the newspaper's enormous popularity in Caledonia, Mumford and Scottsville.

    In 1989 he retired from newspaper publishing and sold the Caledonia Advertiser to Sanders Publications in Geneseo.

    While Mr. Keith will be widely remembered by the community for his publishing work, those who knew him will fondly remember him for his contributions to the Masons, the Caledonia Fire Department and to his church, First Presbyterian of Caledonia.

    Mr. Keith joined the Caledonia Fire Department's Hook and Ladder Company in October 1960. He served in several capacities over the years including being a member of the By-Laws Committee from 1965 to the present, a department auditor from 1968 to the present, the Benevolent Committee from 1965 to the present, and held the offices of president and treasurer. Mr. Keith ran the radio room for many years when there was a fire. He also served as convention delegate for the department. He was a third degree Mason, right worshipful (teacher). He was a recipient of the Wendall A.Walker Award in 1994 and the Distinguished Achievement Award, Livingston District. He was an assistant grand lecturer, and a teacher of the Masons' rituals to other lodges from 1942-1946, He served as district deputy grand master from 1945-1946 and was past lodge master, Eunice Lodge 830.

    The Caledonia-Mumford Lions Club named Mr. and Mrs. Keith Citizens of the Year.

    Mr. Keith was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Caledonia-Mumford Rotary Club, the first non-Rotarian to receive the honor from the Cal-Mum Club.

    Friends may call Friday 7-9 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 6:45 p.m. at the Alhart Funeral Home, 3068 W. Main St., Caledonia. On Saturday friends may call 10-11 a.m. with a Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 3080 Main St., Caledonia. A Private Interment will be held at the Mumford Rural Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Church, the Eunice Lodge, State Street., Caledonia or the Caledonia Fire Dept, PO Box 1, Caledonia 14423.