John Parkinson Keyes

John Parkinson Keyes, (aka “Parky” on the east coast and “John” on the west coast) was a beloved father, husband, and teacher who died on May 11 at age 83. Born on October 12,1941 in Boston, MA he grew up at Westminster School in Simsbury, CT, where his father, Francis Keyes, was headmaster.

After graduating Groton, Harvard, and Wesleyan, John served two years in the U.S. Army. He initially pursued a career in banking in New York, (where he met Mary, his wife) but decided the business world was not for him. In 1969 he began teaching at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, MA, where he taught history, served as a college advisor, and coached the varsity basketball and baseball teams. For several summers, he was the director of the New Hampton School tennis camp in NH. In 1986, he became head of the upper school at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon.

Beyond his professional life, John was a gifted athlete who loved sports. He played competitive tennis and was a member of the Irvington Club, where he was part of an Oregon team that won two senior-level national team tennis championships. He was also a passionate Red Sox, Celtics, and New England Patriots fan, and sometimes his competitive nature had to be reined in!

In his retirement, John and Mary, married for 56 years, loved to spend time with their grandchildren at Cannon Beach, hike, volunteer, and travel internationally.

His kindness, dry humor, and gentle ways will always be remembered. John is survived by his beloved wife Mary; his two children, Heather (Evan) and Christopher (Kelly); five grandchildren, Sam, Peter, Olive, Cash, and Zevi; brother David; and sisters Virginia Stoppenbach, Louise Moon, and Frances Keyes.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR, on June 29 at 7:00 pm.