A longtime Patchogue Village Trustee who was set to be the grand marshal in the community’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Monday has passed away. His name was Joseph Edward “Joe” Keyes, Jr., and he was 73 years old.
“Joe was not only a dedicated public servant but also one of the kindest and most compassionate individuals,” the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, for which Keyes served on the board of trustees since 2009, said in a statement.
“His commitment to our community was unwavering. His kindness, leadership, and tireless service will be deeply missed, but his impact will forever be felt in our village.”
Keyes also held the title of Patcogue’s Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, a role he had fulfilled since 2015.
His influence extended to the Protecting the Environment in Patchogue (PEP) Committee that same year. Under his watch, Patchogue became the first community statewide to institute a ban on single-use plastic bags.
After suffering a heart attack early last week, Keyes suffered another while at NYU Langone Hospital’s Suffolk Location in Patchogue on Friday, March 7. He died three days later on Monday, March 10.
Most recently, Keyes was honored at Patchogue’s “Passing of the Sash” ceremony on Feb. 23rd.
The Brooklyn-born, Bellport High School graduate first moved to Patchogue in 1976 after marrying his wife Linda three years earlier in 1973.
Keyes worked for decades at the Long Island Rail Road before retiring to forge his second act as a track supervisor. He also volunteered extensively in youth sports, coaching PYAA Little League for a decade and a half throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
As parks and recreation commissioner, Keyes saw to the installation of artificial turf upgrades to the same fields where he instructed many young sluggers. He also resurfaced the tennis courts and expedited the addition of pickleball courts at Belzar Park and Father Tortora Park, respectively.
“I’m overwhelmed, humbled and honored,” Keyes said last month upon being named grand marshall of the upcoming parade. “My mom and dad would be proud.”
Patchogue’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities will still go off as planned at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 23rd.
Keyes will surely be there in spirit.