Leroy Almon Keller

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Leroy Almon Keller, which occurred in the early morning hours of December 26, 2024. Leroy died peacefully surrounded by family at home at the age of 86. Leroy was born on April 6, 1938. The 6th child and 5th son of Myrtle and Gilbert, he grew up on the farm on Route 220 in Montville in which he was born with his 5 brothers, Merton, Myron, Carlton, Gilbert, Jr., Richard and his sister, Charlene. Leroy attended the one room schoolhouse on Hall-Dale Road alongside his dog, Jack that attended everyday with him. Following grade school, he became a student at Freedom Academy in the fall of 1952 and became very involved in the school community. While at Freedom Academy, he was a class officer, served on the Echo and Arrow staff, participated in school musicals and was the King of the Christmas Dance. Leroy played both Basketball and Baseball and was a major factor in leading the basketball team to the Eastern Maine tournament and in his senior year scored 299 points en route to a Waldo County Championship. It was on the diamond where he thrived; leading his team to an Eastern Maine Championship after the “tiny, pepperpot of a catcher” drove in the game winning run with a two out single beating Mattawamkeag High School 7-5. His senior superlatives were Most Likely to Succeed, Best Dressed, Best Looking and Prettiest Smile. This senior, with the nickname, Buckshot, had a mentor in coach Charlie Cosgrove, a noisy disposition, an ambition to be an aviator, with a favorite past time of pestering others, had a favorite song, BR-R-R, BR-R-R, Busy Line by Rose Murphy and a presumed death at the hands of his Pontiac, graduated in 1956. While not in class during his high school years, he played town team baseball and worked summer jobs on the Blueberry Crew for the Monmouth Canning Company, later he became the crew leader and drove a rickety bus nicknamed the “Old Grey Ghost”. Leroy left the small town of Montville, Maine and continued his education at the University of Maine at Orono where he continued his athletics while studying to become a Secondary School Math Teacher. While at Orono, he spent a great deal of time playing ping pong in between classes and played for the Black Bears baseball team for 3 years. His first being on the Freshman team and then 2 years with the Varsity. It was there in 1959 that he met Mary Ann King while in Plants of Maine class. Mary became his wife in 1961 and they had 5 children, Michael, Lori, Marc, Lynne and Lasha. Leroy’s first teaching job out of college was at Deer Isle-Stonington where he taught Math and coached baseball and girls basketball for 2 years, as well as, organized the Jaycees, the school’s first civic organization. In 1962, he left Deer Isle-Stonington and served as the Principal at Walker School in Liberty. In 1964, Walker School became an Elementary School as Mt. View High School was completed and he moved there to teach Math and Computer Science for the next 31 years. Shortly after the move, Leroy and Mary purchased the former Post Office on Hall Dale Road in Montville that became the family home for the next 42 years. While at Mt. View, he coached high school athletes in baseball for 15 years, boys basketball for 2 and softball for 3 and every morning was seen standing at the main lobby leaning against the cast iron radiator overlooking the arrival of all the students during morning duty. Outside the walls of the schools where he taught, his commitment to the youth and teens of his communities and the State of Maine was profound. He officiated middle school, high school, and collegiate basketball beginning in 1970 and continued until 2005. He also served as the Eastern Maine IAABO board president and the assignor for his final 5 years. He officiated soccer at every level for 25 years and also served as the assignor for the Central Maine Soccer Officials Association for 7. Not to mention, any time Mt. View or any of the local youth teams were in need, he would strap on the umpiring gear and help out behind the plate. He was the founder of the Mt. View Little League team, coached many years and built 3 different little league fields, including the one that is currently used that sits adjacent to the former Freedom Academy site. He also coached a Waldo County Little League All-Star team to a state runner-up finish. He, along with Burleigh Raven created the Babe Ruth baseball program to further provide the teenagers of SAD 3 more opportunities. He also, along with Pat Breau and “Doc” Aldrich created the youth basketball program for the Mt. View communities known as B.U.M. League. Shortly after college, he was recruited by Charlie Cosgrove and the American Legion to become a counselor at Dirigo Boys State held at the University of Maine. He continued to serve as counselor, eventually becoming the Counselor Coordinator and the behind the scenes leader of the Midnight Rangers and Logistical Specialist of the Bucket Brigade. All told, he saw the program on four different college campuses and served the program for 51 years. The American Legion created a scholarship in 2017 to honor his service to the program and was presented with an American flag that was flown over the capital building in Washington, D.C. Leroy was predeceased by his parents and each of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife Mary, his children: Son Michael Keller and his wife Lisa of Scarborough, their children Wyatt and Hope, Daughter Lori Sweatt and her husband Chris of Portland, their children Stephen, his spouse Meghan and Abbie, her spouse Emily, Son Marc Keller and his wife Paula of Wilton, their children, Abby, Hannah, Nate, Madelyn, Kooper and Amelia, Daughter Lynne Keller and her partner, Kareem Myrick of Windham, their children Nathan and Logan and Daughter Lasha McSween and her husband Andre of Staten Island, NY and their children Mary and Matthew. Leroy and his wife Mary split time over the last 24 years between Maine and Florida where they developed strong relationships with new and old friends at the Red Oak 55+ Park in Bushnell, FL. When in Maine, he enjoyed spending time with his 14 grandchildren in family activities including birthday parties, anniversary parties and the infamous “Keller Christmas” that took place anywhere from July 4th to Halloween and included the gathering of all his children and grandchildren, a christmas tree, presents, games and a crazy, themed dressup event. The day always brought joy and smiles to Leroy as he was able to spend time with his family. Leroy was also a major sports fan with the Boston area teams gracing his television nearly every day. He cheered on the Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox through 26 World Championships in his lifetime. Highlighting his last couple years included two trips to Fenway Park and his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. He was able to get a tour of the park during his last trip and stood behind home plate as if catching in his childhood dream of playing for his beloved team. Visiting hours will be held at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home at 1024 Broadway, South Portland, ME, on January 1, 2025 from 3:00p.m to 5:00p.m. Please join the family for the funeral which will also be held at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home on January 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Following the funeral, a reception will be held. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Hospice of Southern Maine. Leroy's funeral service will be live streamed starting at 10:45am on January 2, 2025 at www.facebook.com/conroytullywalker