Keith Allen McAllister

The family soon moved to McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where Keith grew up alongside two loving siblings, Karen and Rick. He became the first in his family to attend college, graduating as a proud Mountaineer from West Virginia University. After graduation, Keith pursued a career in chemical engineering, starting at Union Carbide, West Virginia, where he met his future wife, Irene Horvath of Cleveland, Ohio. Immediately upon meeting Irene, Keith knew he wanted to marry her, and the two wed in 1979. They welcomed their first daughter Laura in 1985, followed by Kim in 1986.

As a couple, their careers in chemical and manufacturing sectors brought them on a journey from Charleston, West Virginia; to Albany, New York; to Mount Vernon, Indiana; and finally to Monaca, Pennsylvania, where they could be close to extended family and properly express their love for all Pittsburgh sports. The family could be found most Sundays in the fall and winter bundled up and cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After several years as a chemicals and plastics plant manager, Keith left the corporate world, and together with Irene launched an executive search firm, which Irene would eventually lead. Keith also pursued another fun dream, becoming the first franchisee of Bruster’s Ice Cream, a local business that eventually reached 200 locations nationwide. This enabled him to be there for every one of his daughters’ games and school events, and to assume another cherished role: scorekeeper for his daughter’s basketball teams.

After years of running their own businesses in Pennsylvania, Keith and Irene headed south to sunny Naples, Florida, in 2016. Keith cherished the warm sun and the friendships they made, spending evenings walking around their beloved community, and days beach- and pool-side. As the couple welcomed five grandsons, Keith earned his nickname “the baby whisperer,” and experienced no greater joy than being with his boys.

Keith battled head and neck cancer on and off starting in 2005, and became a three-time survivor, fighting each bout with strength, valor, and faith. He had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary. He passed away from complications of the many surgeries and treatments over the years in the comfort of his home, and surrounded by his entire family, at age 69, on February 15, 2024.

Keith is survived by his loving wife Irene (Horvath), his two daughters and sons-in-law (Laura and Andrew Hollod and Kim and Matt Rodgers), and his five grandsons (Rivers, Luke, Braeden, Jack, and Liam). He will be deeply missed by all, especially by those who called him “Papa”.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make a donation in Keith’s name to Saint William Catholic Church in Naples, Florida, or The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.