Keith M. Vanderzee

Keith M. VanDerzee of Trumansburg, passed away at Cayuga Medical Center on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at the age of 90.

Born in the Town of Hector on November 14, 1922, Keith was the son of the late Leon and Elizabeth (Wixom) VanDerzee. After graduating from Trumansburg High School in 1940, Keith joined the United States Navy, serving in the south Pacific aboard the USS Pringle until it was sunk by a kamikaze pilot on April 13, 1945. He was honorably discharged in 1946. While serving during World War II, Keith married the love of his life, Helen (Teeter), on August 18, 1945. Keith worked for a number of years as a carpenter in the physics department at Cornell University until his retirement in 1984.

Keith was very skilled in using his hands to build many things and while working full time, found time to build two homes. He enjoyed spending as much time as possible outdoors and camping across the Northeast.

Keith is survived by three sons, Leon (Patricia) of Cincinnati, OH, Jack of Trumansburg, and Thomas (Jane) VanDerzee of Ithaca; three grandchildren, Wyndie, Nicholas, and Lauren; two great grandchildren, Auburn and Dominique Noce; five sisters in law, Nancy and Mary VanDerzee, Margaret Fait, Velma and Freda Teeter; one brother in law, Philip Teeter; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by his wife, Helen VanDerzee in 2009; and three brothers, Clair, Elmer and Lloyd VanDerzee.

The family will be present to receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00pm on Friday, July 12, 2013 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. Services will be private for the family on Saturday July 13, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Keith’s memory to kindly consider Hospicare of Tompkins County, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Finger Lakes Land Trust, 202 E. Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.