Keith D’Elia NEW PALTZ- Keith Christopher D’Elia, a life-long resident of New Paltz, N.Y., NPHS track star, and scholar, died suddenly on July 2, 2018 in Phoenicia, N.Y., a fortnight shy of his 60th birthday. A 1976 graduate of New Paltz Central High School, Keith distinguished himself as a Regents Scholar and athlete. In Track & Field, he held the Ulster County high school record for over a decade in the 440 yard dash. An accomplished chess player, quiz bowl veteran, amateur astronomer, and musician, his high school exploits included a National Science Foundation prize for a paper on particle physics. After New Paltz Central High School, Keith studied at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. While at Penn, Keith suffered his first bouts with an acute bipolar disorder. It would afflict him his entire life and became especially severe in his final years. Keith had a voracious intellect and artistic interests. He loved journalism, jazz piano, history, physics, philosophy, and languages. A world traveler, he leaves behind friends across the globe. He spent time at the Université of Franche Comté in Besançon, France, and the Internationale Akademie für Philosophie in Liechtenstein, and lived several years in Feldkirch, Austria. New Paltz always remained his true home and community, where many provided him support and friendship. Keith is survived by his mother, Margaret at Valley Vista Adult Assisted Living in Highland, N.Y.; and siblings, Greg, a State Department Official in Dubai, Anthony, Professor of History and Classics at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, and Nancy, a teacher in New Paltz, N.Y. His five nieces and nephews are citizens of the USA, Canada, and France. Keith’s father, Professor Donald J. D’Elia of SUNY New Paltz, passed away in 2009. The Capuchin Francisans will celebrate a funeral service for Keith on July 15, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in New Paltz. Please direct condolences to Margaret D’Elia at Valley Vista in Highland and donations to St. Joseph’s Church and any organization dedicated to helping the mentally ill.
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I will always remember Keith for his keen intellect, sense of humor, love of jazz, interest in world politics, quirkiness, the days he spent discussing politics with my parents ! He would be so saddened by what is going on in Ukraine now since I am Ukrainian and we dated for 4 year. He was always curious about everything, enjoyed life, travel, writing, music, food...he came to my mother's 95th birthday in MA. I will always love you Keith and remember you for how special you were!
Hanna Melnyczuk
July 7, 2022
Dear Mrs. D'Elia, Greg, Anthony and Nancy,
Keith was a very special person. He was so intelligent, creative, funny and I miss him so much. I think of him often . We met at Columbia University 40 years ago and saw each other a number of times in the past 6 years. It was great to see Keith and he was always full of interesting information. We had a special bond.
He even came to visit my mother ( who passed last year) for her 95th birthday when my parents lived in MA.
I miss you my dear friend....I wish you were still with us . You left us too soon. Love Hanna
Hanna Melnyczuk
Friend
July 7, 2020
Hanna Melnyczuk
August 30, 2019
Missed
February 3, 2019
Just learnt about Keith's being no more. Very saddened to discover this :(
My friend Keith was a romantic soul, sweet, with an appreciation of the arts and always with an amiable smile.
Makes life seem so unexpectedly short to learn of something like this.
"Heard melodies are sweet. But those unheard are sweeter".
Keith, wherever you are, I hope you are in bliss.
M
February 3, 2019
I am tremendously saddened to find Keith has passed away. So much energy and beautiful quirkiness.
One story (of dozens). I was studying in Munich, and in those pre-internet & phone @$3/minute days I had been out of touch with everybody for six months. One day I see a note on my door: "Da Vinci has arrived." After wondering for a full minute, I realized there was only one person in the whole world that this could be. I yelled "KEITH!" And, sure enough, I found him in our dorm kitchen. Already best friends with everybody there.
Sincerest condolences to family and friends.
Martin Herbordt
August 19, 2018
Remembering Keith from younger days. He was interested in so many subjects. RIP.
Cousin Dave Kolasa
David Kolasa
July 20, 2018
Rest in Peace, Keith. Such a gentle soul he was.
Marian Cappillino
July 19, 2018
MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BRING YOU A MEASURE OF COMFORT.PLEASE READ PROV 17:17
CKT
July 16, 2018
I'll Miss his warmth, good humor and he had a song for everthing little thing you said. I cannot be at his service.
But before he passed he told me Iwas in his heart. And he will always be in mine. I Love you Keith.
Ronnie Flam
Friend
July 15, 2018
Ronnie Flam
July 15, 2018
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