Gerald Richard Keyock

OBITUARY

Gerald Richard Keyock, 90, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg Campus, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 7, 1935, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Andrew Keyock and Freidola (Hildebrand) Keyock.

Gerald moved with his family to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1940, where he was raised and educated. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1953 and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Moravian College in 1958. While at Moravian, he was a standout member of the baseball team and was later inducted into the Moravian College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 as part of the celebrated 1956 team, being recognized for its outstanding season. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Education Degree from Lehigh University in 1967.

A lifelong educator and dedicated public servant, Gerald began his career as a teacher at Nitschmann Junior High School, where he taught from 1959 to 1967 and also coached football and basketball. In 1967, he was appointed Coordinator of Child Accounting for the Bethlehem Area School District, a role he held with distinction for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. During his tenure, he was recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for his contributions as a Charter Member and President of the Statewide Attendance and Child Accounting Professional Association. In 1983, he received the Bethlehem Area School District’s Outstanding Performance Award.

Gerald was deeply committed to his community. He served as a Lieutenant in the fire squad of the Nancy Run Volunteer Fire Company and was co-chairman of the Nancy Run Carnival for 15 years. He was also a Charter Member of the Bethlehem Township Jaycees. A man of strong faith, he was a devoted member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served as both a Church Council member and Treasurer.

In his earlier years, Gerald directed the YMCA Summer Day Camp from 1961 to 1966, positively impacting the lives of many young people. He also enjoyed a lifelong love of baseball, playing with teams including the Beth-Allen Orioles in the Allentown A League, Bath AA in the Blue Mountain League, and the Jeddo All-Stars in Luzerne County.

Gerald was a member of H. Stanley Goodwin Lodge 648 and a founding member of the RAJA Canadian Fishing Club. For more than 38 years, he treasured annual wilderness fishing trips to the northern lakes of Quebec, Canada, creating lasting memories with friends and fellow members.

SURVIVORS: Gerald shared 69 wonderful years of marriage with his devoted wife, Janice Elaine (Fehnel) Keyock. Together they built a strong and loving family. He is survived by his sons, Gregory Keyock, Andrew Keyock, and Michael Keyock and his wife Kari; his sister, Ronnell Ford and her husband Terence, and their son Daniel Ford; and his cherished grandchildren, Maya, Jeb, Nate, Jake, and Angalyse. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Julian Keyock, in 2014.

SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held at 12 P.M. on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, where family will receive relatives and friends from 10 A.M. until the time of the service. Gerald’s services have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gerald’s name to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church via mail to 3771 Easton Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18020.