Walter Irving Keyes, 86, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Bay Path Healthcare Center in Duxbury, MA. Born in Waltham, MA, on June 18, 1928, he was the youngest son of 6 children of the late George I. L. Keyes and Lettie (Morse) Keyes. He was predeceased by 2 brothers, Fenton and Leonard Keyes, and 3 sisters, Dorothy Andersen, Natalie Gross, and Virginia Colborn. He was a graduate of Waltham High School '46 and Northeastern University where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering in 1951 and a MSCE in Civil Structural Engineering in 1957. In 1953, Walter became a partner in his brother Fenton's firm, Keyes Associates. During those early days, Keyes Assoc. provided many architectural/engineering services in the Waltham area. Keyes Assoc. worked closely on projects such as the Waltham Hospital, Polaroid Corporation, Raytheon, Waltham Public Schools, Waltham Fire Station, Waltham Savings Bank, and CVS Pharmacy. At one time Keyes Assoc. had offices in RI, CT and NH. Keyes Assoc. designed many buildings at Northeastern University. While in his Waltham office, Walter was involved in a variety of Civic activities such as Jaycees, Rotary, Salvation Army, and the Boys and Girls Club. Walter served in the Army Reserve from 1955 -1958.
In 1955, Walter moved to Lincoln, MA with his wife, Janet (Turner), who was the mother of their four children. He became involved in the local sports programs and the Boy Scouts with his children. Walter's biggest joy was his love of Brant Rock, MA and the ocean. Walter started summering in Brant Rock as a young boy visiting his aunts. He worked as a caddy at the Marshfield Country Club. In 1962, he replaced his father's cottage with a new cottage as a summer place for his family. Many good memories were made there especially when the Keyes family had large summer reunions filled with extended family. He enjoyed walking the seawall. He especially loved his boat, the Whaler. Many good times were had as the whole family participated in the art of "lobstahing." In 1981, Walter became a full-time resident of Brant Rock. He assisted the Town of Marshfield in their planning for the Skateboard Park. He became an active participant of the Council of Aging in Marshfield. He enjoyed having lunch with friends there and the sing-alongs. He was always helping others with car rides to appointments. He was also a long time member of the Brant Rock Village Association. As neighborhood group, they were able to work on many local projects. In 2011, Walter became a full-time resident at Welch's Bay Path Healthcare Center in Duxbury, MA. He enjoyed a quality of life there filled with many kind and wonderful caregivers who treated him with dignity. He was always grateful for their help. His biggest complaint at Bay Path was "they give me too much food." He was actively involved with their programs. He was often seen at the "Tavern; for a taste" and to play trivia. Walter loved to sing at any given time, not just at the sing-alongs. Two years ago the activity coordinators at Bay Path built a table top garden in the courtyard where he loved to grow vegetable and work with the "sun on his back." Walter was an avid Boston sports fan. He enjoyed regular visits from his "good friend" from the old neighborhood who would hang with him to watch TV sports, especially the Celtics and the Red Sox. In 2014, Walter was thrilled to get to the Marshfield Fair in August and his grandson Steven's wedding in October. Walter is survived by his daughter, Laura K. Jaynes and husband, Steven of Merrimack, NH; 2 sons, Andrew G. Keyes and wife, Doreen of Waltham, MA; and Christopher M. Keyes and wife Janet of Norfolk, VA; nine grandchildren, Steven Jaynes, Jr. and wife, Yuri, Julie Jaynes; Jonathan and Brendan Keyes; and Emily, Natalie, Dorothy, Jeremiah, and Kenneth Keyes. He is also survived by his 2nd wife, Virginia (O'Connell). Walter was predeceased by a son, Kenneth W. Keyes in 1982 and his first wife, Janet (Turner) in 2011. Calling hours and a memorial service will be held at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean, Marshfield, MA on Sunday, May 24th, from 2 -4 pm with a time for memory sharing at 3:00 pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brant Rock Village Association, PO Box 1, Brant Rock, MA 02020.