Obituary: Keith Thomas Desmond, 59, Faced Many Challenges in Life With Courage, Motivation and a Beautiful Smile

Obituary from Campbell Funeral Home.

Keith Thomas Desmond, 59, beloved husband of Nancy (Costa) Desmond, died Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Beverly Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Beverly, he was the son of Richard W. Desmond of Beverly and the late Alice J. (Bartnicki) Desmond. He received his education at St. Margaret’s Grammar School in Beverly Farms and graduated Beverly High School, Class of 1974. Keith worked at Colemans Sporting Goods and MVP sports as a Sales Clerk.

He spoke at numerous schools and colleges as well as for the D.A.R.E program regarding living with disability. Keith faced many challenges in his life with courage, motivation, and a beautiful smile, he was an inspiration to all those whose lives he touched.

Keith was an outstanding “Mr. Mom,” a job he loved and excelled at. He has two beautiful loving daughters and two “sons” who he was very proud of. Keith was hospitalized numerous times over the past three years at Beverly Hospital where he was loved by all the staff. Keith’s family would like to thank all those who cared for him including VNA Care Network. They would also like to thank his numerous doctors at Beverly Hospital, Lahey Clinic, and Boston Medical.

He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage, he is survived by his father; daughters, Rose Desmond and her fiance, Joe Douglass of Beverly and Danielle (Desmond) Reardon and her husband, Paul of Beverly; a grandson, Dominic Reardon and a soon to be born granddaughter, Aria Rose; two sisters, Sandra Desmond of Peabody and Lisa Desmond and her husband, Stephen Haskell of Hamilton; two brothers, twin brother, Kevin Desmond and his wife, Debbie of Haverhill and Thomas Desmond and his wife, Robin of Essex and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Neil R. Desmond.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church, 672 Hale St., Beverly Farms, Wednesday, May 6 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, Tuesday from 4 - 7 p.m. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beverly. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Amyloidosis Center, Boston University School of Medicine 72 East, Concord Street, K-503, Boston, MA 02118. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.