Obituary of Herbert Lawrence Keech

Herbert Lawrence Keech, age 85, died peacefully on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Herb left school at age sixteen to support his mother, sister and brother. In 1951 he served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. Herb worked in the auto industry for over 50 years, starting as a parts boy in the 40s and retiring as President of Queen City Pontiac-GMC Truck, Inc. in Green Brook, NJ. In 1962, he married Norma Jordan Keech, and they made their home in Watchung, New Jersey. Norma died in 2005. In 2008, he married Jackie LaBella, and they made their homes in Clearwater, Florida and Portland, Connecticut. Since 1956, Herb was a Giants football season ticket holder, seldom missing a home game and being privileged to have attended 14 Super Bowls. He also loved to walk, and until the last few years, walked five miles daily in his Clearwater neighborhood. When this became difficult, he walked in the parking garage of his condominium in Florida. Travel was a big part of his life, taking him to many places in this country, Europe and the Caribbean. After his marriage to Jackie, travel adventures continued, including trips with the Giants Road Crew for the away games. Herb valued loyalty and ethics above all, and it was said that if he were to become your friend, he would be a friend for life. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Jackie Keech of Clearwater, Florida and Portland, Connecticut; his sister Loretta Kedzierski and her fiancé Lou Moretti of Clearwater, Florida ; his brother Fred Keech and his wife Linda of Waretown, New Jersey; nieces and nephews Virginia and David Muscarella of Toms River, New Jersey; Mary Jane and Patrick Rush of Cocoa, Florida; Holly and Stan Gola of Jackson, New Jersey; Kelly and Albert Littek of Parlow, Virginia; Douglas Keech of Bellbrook, Ohio; Jackie's children, Peter LaBella and his wife Marcy of Durham, Connecticut; Michael LaBella and his wife Cathy LaBella of Cobalt, Connecticut; David LaBella and his wife Ginger of Higganum, Connecticut; grandchildren Hannah and Coby LaBella of Cobalt, Connecticut; plus many grand nieces and nephews and many very grand friends. Calling hours will be held at Higgins Funeral Home, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, New Jersey from 2 - 6 PM on Sunday, May 1. Funeral services will begin on Monday, May 2 at 8:45 am at the funeral home followed by a 10:00 am funeral service at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit. Interment will be at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union,