Thomas Alexander Keith – Oct. 8

Thomas Alexander Keith was a wonderful and loving husband and father, supportive and fun-loving brother and uncle, loyal friend, caring employer and the embodiment of a friendly neighbor. Always there to help a friend, a stranger or anyone in need, Tom’s upbeat and cheerful disposition was the bright spot of anyone’s day.

Born in Brooklyn, NY to George and Johanna Keith, Tom was one of seven children. The Keith family soon moved to Pearl River, NY where Tom spent his youth and attended local schools. It was during these years that Tom developed his caring and can-do nature, his sense of humor and an entrepreneurial spirit that helped him excel in life’s journey. These same qualities were what encouraged his wife of 33 years, Barbara Burger, to say “I do.”

Barbara and Tom met in 1981 at the wedding of Barbara’s sister Cathy to Tom’s brother George. They married in 1987 and moved to Pelham, NY in 1990. They were soon blessed with two daughters, Sara and Kelly. The consummate dad, Tom coached Pelham Little League and Rec Soccer and was the ultimate cheerleader and spectator at any youth sports, whether it was his own daughters or kids of friends and neighbors. Tom was thrilled to share his passion for golf with his daughter Kelly, proudly watching as she outdrove many of his friends. Tom was the dad you called when you needed a ride at 2am, to borrow a truck, move or fix something – he was there for anything you needed.

Tom was a lover of life and the embodiment of “go big or go home”. He enjoyed the thrill of speed and power, thus his passion for cars and motorcycles. Although a leisurely ride on a country road with Barbara on his motorcycle brought him just as much joy. A skier, a golfer and poker player who excelled at enriching his friends, Tom was a 14-year-old boy trapped in a 61-year-old man’s body.

Tom possessed an incredibly strong work ethic and passion for helping people. Whether it was a client or an employee of his company, Hometown Restoration, or the countless gestures for anyone in need. Not to mention the random acts of kindness – snow blowing all the neighbors’ driveways during a winter storm was just one of many.

Tom passed away suddenly on Thursday morning, October 8th, 2020. He was 61 years old. He is survived by his wife Barbara Burger, his two daughters, Sara and Kelly, His future daughter-in-law Lindsay Angelillo, his sister Susan (John) Rutledge, his brothers Brian (Maureen), George (Cathy) John (Beverly), Alexander (Colleen) and Richard. He will be missed by his many nephews, nieces, close friends, work colleagues and everyone that knew him.

A celebration of Tom’s Life will be held at a later date. Tom had the utmost respect and admiration for the many firefighters he worked with. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Joel A. Halpern Trauma & Burn Center at Westchester Medical Center. Checks can be made out to the Westchester Medical Center Foundation. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit pelhamfuneral.com

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.