Julius Keller

Julius lived 92 meaningful, beautiful years—a life built on love, quiet strength, and devotion to family.

He met Catherine, the love of his life, when they were just teenagers at Hempstead High School. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight—his locker was next to hers, and she couldn’t stand the smell of the onion sandwiches he always had—but something real began to grow. They married in August of 1952, during a short leave from the Navy when Julius was 20, and honeymooned in the peaceful beauty of Watkins Glen, NY. That was the beginning of 72 years of marriage—a partnership full of care, loyalty, and deep love.

In their early years, while Julius was still serving in the Navy, they lived with Catherine’s parents. In 1954, they bought their first home in Copiague, NY, where they planted roots and built a life. Together, they raised three daughters—Cathy, Suzan, and Margaret—and were later blessed with grandchildren who brought even more joy into their home.

Julius worked for Republic, which later became Fairchild Republic, and spent the majority of his career at Grumman. He started in the shop and worked his way up to project manager, supporting the E2C aircraft—an aircraft still in service today, a lasting part of his legacy.

As a young man, Julius was drawn to music and played trumpet in the Hempstead High School band. He worked alongside his father as a mason and also put in time at the A&P grocery store. Around that time, he discovered his love for motorcycles and bought his first—an Indian.

Julius was a natural problem solver—hands-on and endlessly resourceful. If something needed fixing, he’d fix it. If a tool didn’t exist, he’d make one. From house projects to landscaping and car repairs, he did it all. He and Catherine spent time upstate at her mother’s motel, where Julius would lend a hand, go hunting, and enjoy simple, good family time. Summers were often spent on the Great South Bay, boating and enjoying the rhythm of the tides—fishing, clamming, scalloping, eeling, even through the ice. One of many treasured memories was of him and his wife cleaning and cooking the eels together.

Faith was an important part of Julius’s life, and family always came first. He worked hard, holding a second job—so that even though they weren’t affluent, they never missed a yearly family vacation. He believed in making memories.

As the girls grew up, so did Julius’s passions. The family embraced camping, air shows, and long motorcycle rides. His motorcycle adventures took him cross-country, through parts of Canada and the South, and to annual Americade conventions in Lake George. He rode until he was 86.

Even in retirement, he never sat still. He kept busy around the house, and poured his creativity into woodworking, plastic engraving, and metal detecting—where he found more than a few treasures. He had deep respect for nature and treated even the tiniest insect with care. Birds, plants, and especially his beloved cats were sources of quiet joy for him. And no one ever turned down a card game when Julius was around, whether gathered around the table at home or during lunch breaks at work, those games were always filled with laughter and connection.

Julius lived his life with humility, grace, and a steady hand. He showed up for his family in a thousand quiet ways, and he leaves behind a legacy of pure love, hard work, and memories that will live on in all of us lucky enough to have known him.

A visitation for Julius will be held Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A religious service will occur Friday, April 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption RC Church, 1 Molloy Street, Copiague, NY. An interment will occur Friday, April 18, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Blvd, Calverton, NY.

In lieu of flowers, consider taking a moment to fix something, feed a cat or help someone. If not, take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty of the world around you, in Julius’s honor.