Eric A. Keyes

Remembering The Life of ERIC ANDREW KEYES

Eric Andrew Keyes was born on February 13, 1948, to Leonard and Dorothy Keyes in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was the fourth son of ten children. When he was four years old the family moved to Port Jervis, New York. He graduated from Port Jervis Senior High School in 1966 and received a wrestling scholarship to attend Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Eric won many wrestling championships and became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on December 6, 1969. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education on May 10, 1970. He continued his educational endeavors by earning a Master’s Degree in both Administration Supervision and Special Education from City College and Brooklyn College in New York.

He started teaching at Public School I.S. 320 in Brooklyn, New York in 1971 where he taught Physical Education, served as Dean of Students, and was selected as one of the city’s first Crisis Intervention Teachers. He relocated to the Bronx, New York, and continued teaching at Public Schools I.S. 162 and I.S. 183. He served as Assistant Principal at Public School 49 from 1992 to 1996. Then he was assigned to Public School I.S. 151 where he became the Principal until he retired in 2005 after thirty years of service in Education. He was devoted to the success of his students which led his school to achieve double-digit improvement scores in the areas of Reading, Math, and Attendance. This earned him the Distinguished Progress Award by the New York City Board of Education.

Eric became a Lifetime Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (KUL) in November 1996. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Elizabeth City State University in 1998.

He became a Master Mason of the Third Degree in April 2005 at Fidelity Lodge #32 of M.W. Hiriam Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. Inc. State of New York. He was elected Grandmaster of Masons of Hiram Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. Inc. State of New York from June 2020 to June 2024. He also held the additional following titles:

YORK RITE
Right Eminent Grand Junior Warden of the General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar for the USA and its dependencies. Supreme General Grand Deputy of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch.

SCOTTISH RITE
Supreme Grand Lecturer Meridian Supreme Council A.A.S.R.

SHRINERS
Illustrious Grand Potentate of Omar Temple State of New York

SHABAKA SOVEREIGN SANCTUARY
Past Most Illustrious Grand Conservator General

He was also a World Champion Martial Artist, a published author, an avid golfer, and a sports enthusiast. He loved dancing the Hustle with his best dance partner and wife of over twenty-five years, Deborah. He encouraged children and students to obtain a college education, and he sponsored them through scholarship programs and awarded them book grants. He had a great sense of humor with a robust laugh and a very generous heart that was always willing to help anyone who needed it.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Dorothy Keyes; brothers: Jay R, Gary, Michael, and Nelson; and sister Sheryl.

Eric leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife Deborah Keyes; his son Eric A. Keyes Jr.; brothers: Salih Talib, Stephen Keyes, and Bryan Keyes, and his sister Diana Keyes. He will be truly missed by his two sisters-in-law: Lorae Smith, and Renee Smith, and her daughter Tamira Smith; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, seven Godchildren, other relatives, and friends.