Obituaries

Founder of Community Opportunity Center Dies

John Keels, a lifelong resident of Tarrytown, was the founder and director of the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center, a member of the NAACP, and a Rotarian for 46 years.

The following comes from Coffey Funeral Home:

John W. Keels Jr., a lifelong resident of the Tarrytowns, died February 19, 2013. He was 78.

Mr. Keels was born on February 7, 1935 to John W. and Queen Elizabeth Williams Keels in Tarrytown. He was a graduate of North Carolina Central University.  He was the founder and director of the Community Opportunity Center in Tarrytown. He was also a member of the NAACP as well as a 46 year member of the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns.

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He is survived by his wife Bertie Sowell Keels of Tarrytown. He is also survived by his son John (Dori) and his wife Nancy Keels of Peekskill and Michael A. (Joan) of Durham, NC. In addition he is survived by his 2 grandchildren Justin and Tiana and his great grandson Jermaine. He was predeceased by his daughter Pamela Lane Eickler and his brother David.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at COFFEY FUNERAL HOME INC. in Tarrytown. His Funeral Service will be held at 8 PM on Saturday night at the funeral home. His interment will be held at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Monday at 11 AM.

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