Keith Toral Zolotar

Keith Toral Zolotar of Longmont, Colorado passed away suddenly on Monday, December 19, 2022 at his place of employment, Waneka Park Assisted Living Residence. Keith was 43 years old at the prime of his life. When he was born, the doctor said the baby would be a girl. Oops! We did not have a name for a little boy, and with much thought, he was named after a hockey player, Keith Magnuson of the Chicago Blackhawks. The middle name of Toral was chosen as a tribute to his two grandfathers, Torrence and Albert, a combination of their names. We knew through his short life that he would have a story to tell about that. Keith never met his grandfathers but bore their names.

Keith was born in Longmont United Hospital. His schooling years were at Burlington Preschool, Indian Peaks Elementary, Niwot High school and the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Keith was one of the few really Natives of Colorado, a fact that he was proud of. He didn’t receive a degree from UNC, but was always kidded about how many credits he actually had to graduate with a degree, but they were not the ones he actually needed. His family also wanted him to check with the many classes he did take, as they were sure that he would have at least 5 Associate Degrees that he had under his belt. His family will always remember him taking a Women’s Study Course and can imagine him being the only male in that class - of which he was. He prided himself in the lessons he learned from that class.

Keith lived for the moment. He was a kind person, had a loving heart, and would give you the shirt off his back if you asked. Keith was compassionate, compulsive, generous (to an extent), had a big heart and was caring. Keith was our Peter Pan - the boy who never wanted to grow up. He was too busy enjoying life and all the adventures that it brought him, to even want to accept most responsibilities of being an adult. He was happy and life pleasured him everyday. He had a bubbly personality and was a complete charmer to all those who knew him.

Keith did have his moments though. One very good friend recently revealed that Keith was a “stubborn S.O.B.” at times. Yes, quite true. Not perfect by any means, but it was known that he could relent on things that he had said or done, and all would be well.

Keith was in the service industry. His first job at age 14 was at a restaurant called Rev Taylors in Niwot, with all of his high school friends - Casey and Brody to mention a few. Old timers from the area might remember that place. Keith flunked out at bussing tables and was put in the dishwasher position. From his experience in restaurants, that was his choice of work. These past few years, we had mentioned to him about going to Culinary School and he told us point blank that from his experiences through the many restaurants that he had worked, that he knew from them more information about cooking skills that he would ever learn at a school. Now, this was true and he never pursued it.

He was also our “Boomerang” child. After living in Greeley for so long, he came home to live with his family. He stated it would be for a few months. That eventually lasted 7 years, years filled with memories which will forever be engraved in our hearts. He knew his bedroom was always at his home and he could return at any time. This past June, he was back again. Sometimes in life you need the safety and unconditional love from your family to make you get through hard times and Keith was aware of this. We thank God that he realized this and knew we would have his back when life was too challenging for him. We were truly blessed that he honored us with his presence (sometimes). His family actually believes he thought that and that was absolutely fine with them as it brought them more memories to lock in their hearts.

Keith loved sports. He was an avid hockey fan and even played the game himself until his nose was broken while playing on a “non-contact” league. That was one heck of a Christmas photo that year. Keith’s favorite team was the Chicago Blackhawks. He even returned to Chicago to see a few of their games through the years. His second team was of course the Colorado Avalanche and many years ago, was at the game when they won their first Stanley Cup. Sitting in Club seats of course - our charmer had “contacts” shall we say. His football team was the Chicago Bears. Whether good or bad, he rooted for them. Plus, there was Bocce-ball with his high school and college friends and the fun tournaments in Denver, which showed not such good players, but a good time was had by all.

Keith’s favorite season was summer. He loved the solar lights that he would buy so his family could hang them from trees, put them in the ground, in plants and wherever in the backyard so the family would have their own little Disney Land Parade of Lights that they called it. He was disappointed when winter came because they had to be stored for the season as to not break; although some have been forgotten and every once in a while, we see a solar light shining through the snow or covered with leaves.

On Mother’s Day, he always presented his mother with a potted container in which he planted seeds. She would have to guess what the seeds would grow into during the season of growth. He always had her guessing. Some flourished, some did not. Some grew with no flowers and some - for example this year, just were green. One year, he planted a ferny leaf plant that we discovered were carrots to her chagrin. His sense of humor was amazing.

Keith always wondered when the ground outside his bedroom would be planted with flowers so he could see them when looking out that window. It happened sometimes a little late, but his request was always granted. He often asked when they would be planted and it was done shortly after that.

When the snow fell during the night, for some odd reason, there would always be a snow angel in the newly fallen snow which was a delight for his Mom and Dad to wake up to. He would crawl out his bedroom window during the night, and do it for a smile brought to his parent’s faces. He also went across the street and presented a snow angel to one of his favorite neighbors. That must have been one cold trip.

Keith was also very patriotic. He was a continuous supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project and donated to them. His family thinks this started when he met a World War II vet at one of the senior facilities where he worked in Greeley. This gentlemen made quite an impression on Keith and he truly loved this man. Chuck was his name. Chuck passed right after his 100th birthday and Keith was devastated by this blow. They spoke a lot and Keith treated him with great respect. He also learned about this man’s experiences and they had many conversations about life itself.

Keith somehow managed to keep some of his mother’s friends in tow while he was playing Steve Harvey when we had a get together and would have an evening playing Family Feud. He was the Master of Ceremonies and at times, had to control the game which was laughable. He did it so well. He spent time attempting to keep the ladies on track and focused during the game, dealing with six laughing women at one time - ignoring their arguments with him as he was the Official of what was right and what was wrong. It made for such a humorous time among friends. These women loved him and are deeply grieving also. One of them referred to Keith as her “Sweet Keith”.

Keith was a collector of Legos. He told us it was relaxing for him and kept his hands busy but when we saw them all on display at one time, we realized his hands were certainly kept busy. That was his hobby. He would work on them while watching his TV shows - which of course were mostly comedies.

He listened to comedians all the time when he was relaxing if sports were not on TV. His collection is enormous. We look at the work that was involved in most of them and the words mind boggling come to mind.

His family thinks Keith found his niche in life when he discovered senior living homes. He enjoyed contact with the elderly and they all treated him so well. At first when he started working there, he told us some were “grumpy”. We told him to get to know these individuals - they all have a story and that he would learn things that he could never learn from a book. He followed our advice and made many friendships along the way. The latest one was Waneka Park in Lafayette. He actually had a bedroom there which they provided. The staff treated him with respect and all of the elderly there loved him. Keith once told his family that working in that atmosphere was very rewarding, but sometimes sad. He was dealing with that part of his job, and tried to make things comfortable for those who needed him to maybe make them something special or to sit and talk for a bit.

Keith was a lover of animals, especially cats. Dogs didn’t much care for him and we never understood why. There was the exception of Mijo who came to our home for a vacation when his parents left town. It was probably the fact that Keith had dog treats hidden in his bedroom that Mijo sensed. If you would like to make a donation to the Humane Society in Keith’s name, his family thinks that Keith would appreciate that knowing the animals would be taken care of.

He managed to train a squirrel and named her Squigga. He told his family that she was a runt and the other squirrels picked on her. He fed her peanuts, watched her beg for them and eventually would come to the glass door and do somersaults on the glass door for attention and a peanut. She had been coming around for approximately four years and sadly left us this Fall. But her babies must have watched their Mom getting some treats, and have continued on with her tradition. When we mentioned this to Keith, we could see the sadness on his face.

Keith always was a great traveler with his parents. All we had to do was ask if he wanted to join us and he would ask when we were going, bags packed. He spent many small vacations in Breckenridge where he learned to ski at 5 years old. He went with his family to Alaska, had a few trips to Hawaii, to Chicago and also Indiana. There were other side trips that he took on his own.

He also played the guitar. Or shall we say attempted? But his main glory was the keyboard at an early age. He never actually pursued any of these instruments, just filled his time with strumming along or hitting keys. Yes, we could tell that they were actually songs that he was playing.

Keith is greatly missed by his family. He has left his handprint on us which will forever be with us. Memories will be in our hearts forever until our reunion. We loved him so much and have lost a part of us. May God give us strength to get through this and may God bless Keith and hold him near.

Keith has left behind his Father, Dave, his Mother, Pat, and his Brother, Duane along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. His Aunt Mickie was special. Plus many, many friends who he met through his short life.

There will be a Celebration of his Life on Wednesday, January 4 at 11:00 at Howe Mortuary in Longmont. Contact can be made through Howe Mortuary or Dignity Memorial’s web sites.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Keith’s name to the Humane Society of Longmont would be appreciated.

Please attend his Celebration. The family knows he will be there in spirit and watching over all of us. If you feel like saying something about your friendship with him, or some story that you recall, please do not hesitate to say something at the appropriate time. His family would really appreciate hearing your thoughts and hopefully there will be laughter and smiles remembering the life he led and what he meant to each person. The family knows this will be difficult, but just speak out, let all know of your love for Keith and help them get through this painful time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Zolotar family.