John C. Keller, 87, of Manlius, NY died after a long illness on Friday. He was born in 1924 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and attended Lycoming College before entering the US Army in WW II, serving in the Aleutian Islands. After the war he attended Catholic University in Washington DC graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then worked for General Electric in Schenectady and Syracuse where he managed the installation of industrial power equipment in factories and electrical utilities throughout Central New York, retiring after 33 years of service.
After his retirement John continued his lifelong interest in photography. He was active in the community as a volunteer at the VA hospital in Syracuse and served as President of The Association of Retarded Children of Onondaga County.
John was a lifelong photographer and a member of the Syracuse Camera Club. He participated in many photography exhibitions and competitions and received numerous awards for his work. He loved dogs and outdoor activities and often journeyed with his family to the Adirondacks for camping and canoe trips. He was renowned for his carpentry skills and rebuilt several houses during his life. He was an active member of the Bookmark Poetry Club of Manlius and participated in poetry slams at Syracuse University. John was predeceased by his first wife Mary and two sons.
He is survived by his wife Rita M. Keller of Manlius; his sister Arlene Aldenderfer of Port Orange, Florida; his daughter, Mary Lyford of Amsterdam, NY; and sons, John of Lexington, Massachusetts, James of Avon, Connecticut, Joseph of Syracuse, N Y and David of Concord, California and nine grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held Monday from 4 to 7p.m. at Farone & Son Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 9 a.m. at the funeral home, 1500 Park St. and 10 a.m. in St Anne’s Church Manlius to be followed by internment at St Mary’s Cemetery, Dewitt.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Arc of Onondaga Foundation 600 South Wilbur Avenue Syracuse NY 13204.
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