Patrick Grant Keys

Patrick Grant Keys, age 57, of Dublin, Ohio died at home Sunday May 18, 2008, after a long illness. He was the son of J. Grant and Mary Keys, of Elyria. Born in Elyria, he was a 1968 graduate of Elyria Catholic High School and in 1972, The Ohio State University. He worked in the Ohio House of Representatives and then for the Clerk of the Ohio Senate. He was Parliamentarian of the Ohio Senate for 10 years. He was a political activist and helped the Democrats gain a majority in the House and Senate in the 1970’s. He was friend to many legislators and staff, Ohio lobbyists, members of the Executive branch, and the Ohio Democratic Party. He was Deputy Director of Commerce in the Celeste administration. Later, he served as Executive Director of the Ohio Board of Cosmetology. He was a consultant for Kent Land Services, servicing many utilities and oil and gas production companies. He retired from employment with the Franklin County Commissioners, sitting on the Board of Revision. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns and all Ohio State Buckeye teams. He loved fishing and reading and was an historian. He was a loving, generous person who enjoyed time with his large families. Patrick was preceded in death by his father, J. Grant Keys, of Elyria; brother Timothy Keys of Lakewood; great-aunt Peg Thill of Elyria; father-in-law Lewis Ciminillo and brothers-in-law Robert Ciminillo and James Ciminillo, of Lima. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Rebecca Ciminillo-Keys, of Dublin; daughters: Natalie (Michael) Deignan, of Columbus and Shannon (Christopher) Murphy, of Pickerington; mother Mary Keys, of Elyria; and mother-in-law Vera Ciminillo, of Lima. He is also survived by brothers: Michael (Ellen) Keys, John (Linda) Keys, Thomas (Judy) Keys; Anthony (Pamela) Keys and James Keys, of Elyria; sisters: Corinne (Kent) Dawson, Mickey Keys, Kelly (Mark) Firestine and Katie Keys, of Elyria, and Colleen (Brian) Meeker, of Bay Village; and numerous nephews and nieces. Survived by brothers-in-law: Jeff (Lorraine) Ciminillo, Randy Ciminillo, Dan (Kris) Ciminillo, Greg (Lisa) Ciminillo, Scot Ciminillo, Chris Ciminillo and David (Julie) Ciminillo; sisters-in-law: Mary Jo (Dan) Gast, Lu Ciminillo, Connie (Thomas) Ford, Patti (Ray) Hicks and Renee Jayne; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10:00am. Thursday May 22, 2008 at St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, 4475 Dublin Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026 (614)-876-1272 with The Rev. Joshua Wagner, Celebrant. Family will receive friends from 5:00pm-9:00pm. Wednesday at the RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME at POWELL, 450 West Olentangy St., Powell, Ohio 43065 (614)-792-1471. (The funeral home is located on West Olentangy St./Powell Road/SR 750 ¼ mile east of Sawmill Parkway.) The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Patrick’s memory to: Columbus Cancer Clinic, 65 Ceramic Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43214 or Acclaim Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, OH 43231. www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com