Paul Keyes

Keyes Fr. Paul T. Keyes, 82, of North Andover, MA, died on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at The Meadows Health Center at Edgewood Lifecare Community. Fr. Keyes was surrounded in his final days by family members and parishioners of St. Michael Parish who deeply appreciated his incredible kindness and pastoral care. Fr. Keyes served as pastor of St. Michael Parish from July, 1993, until his retirement in 2011. He was responsible for the “Miracle on Main Street” as he, along with many parishioners, built a new Church, School and a vibrant Community of Faith. His legacy as the Good Shepherd Leader of St. Michael Parish lives on in the lives of countless people of faith touched by his priestly care. Fr. Keyes grew up in Auburndale, MA, where he attended public school. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston on February 2, 1963. He served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in West Andover and St. Monica Parish in Methuen. After pursuing a graduate degree in Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, Fr. Keyes served as a Spiritual Director at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. Fr. Keyes then served as Pastor at St. Richard Parish in Danvers before coming to St. Michael Parish, North Andover in 1993. Fr. Keyes was known for his special ability to communicate God’s Word, for his pastoral care and kindness to countless people, and his joy in life with many friends and sporting activities. Fr. Keyes was one of five sons, Richard, Robert, Raymond and Kenneth (all deceased) of the late Richard V. and Margaret (White) Keyes. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Theresa, Mary, Mary and MaryAnn, as well as his 12 nieces and nephews: Tom Keyes, Bill Keyes, Peg Gioia, Rich Keyes, Kevin Keyes, Dan Keyes, Ted Keyes, Paul Keyes, Catherine Keyes, Kelly Carey, Ken Keyes, Chris Keyes. The family would like to thank the staff at the Meadows and Edgewood for their great compassion for Fr. Keyes throughout his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. They particularly want to thank the volunteers from St. Michael Parish who carried him through these difficult times, especially Elaine Osborn and Mary Alice Rock. Under the direction of Conte Family Funeral Home, North Andover, Visitation for Fr. Keyes will be held at St. Michael Church, 196 Main Street, North Andover, on Friday, January 4, 2019, from 1:00-9:00pm. A Vigil Service with Reception at the Church will be held at 1:00 pm. A funeral Mass for Fr. Keyes will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00am at St. Michael Church. In lieu of flowers, Fr. Keyes had requested that any donations be made to St. Michael Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA, 01845, or to the charity of your choice.