Brunswick - Lieutenant Thomas Hobart Keller passed peacefully in his home on February 5, 2021. In the early hours of February 6, two cruisers from the Portland Police Department graciously escorted Tom and his family as they remembered his life in Portland. The ceremony began with an official farewell salute outside of the PPD, where Tom served his community for 20 years. From there, the procession passed Tom’s birthplace, Mercy Hospital, his childhood home at 57 Clark St., and his adulthood residence on Deering Ave. where Tom raised his beloved children, Mark and Michelle.
Born May 1, 1949, Tom attended St. Dominic’s School and Cheverus High School where he was a member of the swim team. Tom often reflected on how his Jesuit education taught him both to question what appeared to be wrong and to work toward a more just world.
After high school, Tom joined the United States Army, eventually serving with the Blueghost Scout Platoon of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Like many war vets, Tom brought home with him scars that would stay with him throughout his life. With grit and grace, Tom became a strong advocate for veterans, Veterans for Peace, the poor, and any who were taken advantage of by those “perceived” to have the power to do so.
Following Vietnam, Tom joined the Portland Police Department serving his community as patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant. Tom shared, “I was fortunate enough to benefit from the wisdom of many, and to be mentored by several who maintained their idealism and did their best to uphold the Police Code of Ethics.” One phrase in that ‘Code, “to protect the weak,” particularly touched Tom’s spirit. He embodied this phrase as an advocate for women and families affected by domestic violence. Tom pioneered changes in how both the police and the law responded to the needs of these survivors. A longtime board member and volunteer at Family Crisis Services (now Through These Doors,) Tom played a major role in the organization’s birth and growth in the community.
After retiring, Tom moved to Hancock County, then later to Nova Scotia where he met and married “the love of his life,” Janice Langille. Together in their close-knit community of Seal Harbour, they enjoyed social events, dancing, darts, and card games. In 2019, Tom and Janice bought a home in Brunswick, Maine.
Tom enjoyed fly fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, cooking, and talking with family and friends. A true foodie, Tom bonded over many meals-especially Pho-with his children. They loved meeting for Sunday Dinner together, ordering the entire menu, or just chatting over coffee. For more than a decade, Tom reigned as Gourmet Turkey Chef at the annual “Chosen Family Thanksgiving,” hosted in Lois Galgay Reckitt and Lyn Carter’s home. For the past seven years, Tom wintered in the Florida Keys with Janice, his brother Bill, and Bill’s wife, Carol.
Tom inspired us in many ways. He embraced recovery over thirty years ago and credited that to a life “second to none”. He would never hesitate to remind us sometimes sternly that until we walked in the shoes or next to them of those less fortunate, we had no clue. Through the beautiful acceptance of his death from bladder cancer, Tom did more to support and teach us than we could have ever done for him. A true hero, Tom’s contagious smile and witty sense of humor will remain with us always.
Tom is predeceased by his mom, Josephine Keller, dad, James H. Keller, and his younger sister, Mary Jo Van Mierlo. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice, his children, Mark Keller and companion Cathleen Dubosky of Westbrook and Michelle Keller and companion Nate Walsh of Freeport, stepchildren in Nova Scotia Joseph, Stephen and Stacey Farrell, his brother Bill Keller and wife Carol of Windham, sister Jean Keller of South Portland, and John Keller and wife Laurie of Gray. Tom is also remembered by his dear, close friends, Mark Foley, Lois Galgay Reckitt, and Greg Burchstead.
At a later date, Tom’s life will be remembered and celebrated in Maine and Nova Scotia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Through These Doors, PO Box 704, Portland, ME, 04104. www.throughthesedoors.org
Born May 1, 1949, Tom attended St. Dominic’s School and Cheverus High School where he was a member of the swim team. Tom often reflected on how his Jesuit education taught him both to question what appeared to be wrong and to work toward a more just world.
After high school, Tom joined the United States Army, eventually serving with the Blueghost Scout Platoon of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Like many war vets, Tom brought home with him scars that would stay with him throughout his life. With grit and grace, Tom became a strong advocate for veterans, Veterans for Peace, the poor, and any who were taken advantage of by those “perceived” to have the power to do so.
Following Vietnam, Tom joined the Portland Police Department serving his community as patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant. Tom shared, “I was fortunate enough to benefit from the wisdom of many, and to be mentored by several who maintained their idealism and did their best to uphold the Police Code of Ethics.” One phrase in that ‘Code, “to protect the weak,” particularly touched Tom’s spirit. He embodied this phrase as an advocate for women and families affected by domestic violence. Tom pioneered changes in how both the police and the law responded to the needs of these survivors. A longtime board member and volunteer at Family Crisis Services (now Through These Doors,) Tom played a major role in the organization’s birth and growth in the community.
After retiring, Tom moved to Hancock County, then later to Nova Scotia where he met and married “the love of his life,” Janice Langille. Together in their close-knit community of Seal Harbour, they enjoyed social events, dancing, darts, and card games. In 2019, Tom and Janice bought a home in Brunswick, Maine.
Tom enjoyed fly fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, cooking, and talking with family and friends. A true foodie, Tom bonded over many meals-especially Pho-with his children. They loved meeting for Sunday Dinner together, ordering the entire menu, or just chatting over coffee. For more than a decade, Tom reigned as Gourmet Turkey Chef at the annual “Chosen Family Thanksgiving,” hosted in Lois Galgay Reckitt and Lyn Carter’s home. For the past seven years, Tom wintered in the Florida Keys with Janice, his brother Bill, and Bill’s wife, Carol.
Tom inspired us in many ways. He embraced recovery over thirty years ago and credited that to a life “second to none”. He would never hesitate to remind us sometimes sternly that until we walked in the shoes or next to them of those less fortunate, we had no clue. Through the beautiful acceptance of his death from bladder cancer, Tom did more to support and teach us than we could have ever done for him. A true hero, Tom’s contagious smile and witty sense of humor will remain with us always.
Tom is predeceased by his mom, Josephine Keller, dad, James H. Keller, and his younger sister, Mary Jo Van Mierlo. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice, his children, Mark Keller and companion Cathleen Dubosky of Westbrook and Michelle Keller and companion Nate Walsh of Freeport, stepchildren in Nova Scotia Joseph, Stephen and Stacey Farrell, his brother Bill Keller and wife Carol of Windham, sister Jean Keller of South Portland, and John Keller and wife Laurie of Gray. Tom is also remembered by his dear, close friends, Mark Foley, Lois Galgay Reckitt, and Greg Burchstead.
At a later date, Tom’s life will be remembered and celebrated in Maine and Nova Scotia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Through These Doors, PO Box 704, Portland, ME, 04104. www.throughthesedoors.org
Brunswick - Lieutenant Thomas Hobart Keller passed peacefully in his home on February 5, 2021. In the early hours of February 6, two cruisers from the Portland Police Department graciously escorted Tom and his family as they remembered his life in Portland. The ceremony began with an official farewell salute outside of the PPD, where Tom served his community for 20 years. From there, the procession passed Tom’s birthplace, Mercy Hospital, his childhood home at 57 Clark St., and his adulthood residence on Deering Ave. where Tom raised his beloved children, Mark and Michelle.
Born May 1, 1949, Tom attended St. Dominic’s School and Cheverus High School where he was a member of the swim team. Tom often reflected on how his Jesuit education taught him both to question what appeared to be wrong and to work toward a more just world.
After high school, Tom joined the United States Army, eventually serving with the Blueghost Scout Platoon of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Like many war vets, Tom brought home with him scars that would stay with him throughout his life. With grit and grace, Tom became a strong advocate for veterans, Veterans for Peace, the poor, and any who were taken advantage of by those “perceived” to have the power to do so.
Following Vietnam, Tom joined the Portland Police Department serving his community as patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant. Tom shared, “I was fortunate enough to benefit from the wisdom of many, and to be mentored by several who maintained their idealism and did their best to uphold the Police Code of Ethics.” One phrase in that ‘Code, “to protect the weak,” particularly touched Tom’s spirit. He embodied this phrase as an advocate for women and families affected by domestic violence. Tom pioneered changes in how both the police and the law responded to the needs of these survivors. A longtime board member and volunteer at Family Crisis Services (now Through These Doors,) Tom played a major role in the organization’s birth and growth in the community.
After retiring, Tom moved to Hancock County, then later to Nova Scotia where he met and married “the love of his life,” Janice Langille. Together in their close-knit community of Seal Harbour, they enjoyed social events, dancing, darts, and card games. In 2019, Tom and Janice bought a home in Brunswick, Maine.
Tom enjoyed fly fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, cooking, and talking with family and friends. A true foodie, Tom bonded over many meals-especially Pho-with his children. They loved meeting for Sunday Dinner together, ordering the entire menu, or just chatting over coffee. For more than a decade, Tom reigned as Gourmet Turkey Chef at the annual “Chosen Family Thanksgiving,” hosted in Lois Galgay Reckitt and Lyn Carter’s home. For the past seven years, Tom wintered in the Florida Keys with Janice, his brother Bill, and Bill’s wife, Carol.
Tom inspired us in many ways. He embraced recovery over thirty years ago and credited that to a life “second to none”. He would never hesitate to remind us sometimes sternly that until we walked in the shoes or next to them of those less fortunate, we had no clue. Through the beautiful acceptance of his death from bladder cancer, Tom did more to support and teach us than we could have ever done for him. A true hero, Tom’s contagious smile and witty sense of humor will remain with us always.
Tom is predeceased by his mom, Josephine Keller, dad, James H. Keller, and his younger sister, Mary Jo Van Mierlo. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice, his children, Mark Keller and companion Cathleen Dubosky of Westbrook and Michelle Keller and companion Nate Walsh of Freeport, stepchildren in Nova Scotia Joseph, Stephen and Stacey Farrell, his brother Bill Keller and wife Carol of Windham, sister Jean Keller of South Portland, and John Keller and wife Laurie of Gray. Tom is also remembered by his dear, close friends, Mark Foley, Lois Galgay Reckitt, and Greg Burchstead.
At a later date, Tom’s life will be remembered and celebrated in Maine and Nova Scotia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Through These Doors, PO Box 704, Portland, ME, 04104. www.throughthesedoors.org
Born May 1, 1949, Tom attended St. Dominic’s School and Cheverus High School where he was a member of the swim team. Tom often reflected on how his Jesuit education taught him both to question what appeared to be wrong and to work toward a more just world.
After high school, Tom joined the United States Army, eventually serving with the Blueghost Scout Platoon of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Like many war vets, Tom brought home with him scars that would stay with him throughout his life. With grit and grace, Tom became a strong advocate for veterans, Veterans for Peace, the poor, and any who were taken advantage of by those “perceived” to have the power to do so.
Following Vietnam, Tom joined the Portland Police Department serving his community as patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant. Tom shared, “I was fortunate enough to benefit from the wisdom of many, and to be mentored by several who maintained their idealism and did their best to uphold the Police Code of Ethics.” One phrase in that ‘Code, “to protect the weak,” particularly touched Tom’s spirit. He embodied this phrase as an advocate for women and families affected by domestic violence. Tom pioneered changes in how both the police and the law responded to the needs of these survivors. A longtime board member and volunteer at Family Crisis Services (now Through These Doors,) Tom played a major role in the organization’s birth and growth in the community.
After retiring, Tom moved to Hancock County, then later to Nova Scotia where he met and married “the love of his life,” Janice Langille. Together in their close-knit community of Seal Harbour, they enjoyed social events, dancing, darts, and card games. In 2019, Tom and Janice bought a home in Brunswick, Maine.
Tom enjoyed fly fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling, cooking, and talking with family and friends. A true foodie, Tom bonded over many meals-especially Pho-with his children. They loved meeting for Sunday Dinner together, ordering the entire menu, or just chatting over coffee. For more than a decade, Tom reigned as Gourmet Turkey Chef at the annual “Chosen Family Thanksgiving,” hosted in Lois Galgay Reckitt and Lyn Carter’s home. For the past seven years, Tom wintered in the Florida Keys with Janice, his brother Bill, and Bill’s wife, Carol.
Tom inspired us in many ways. He embraced recovery over thirty years ago and credited that to a life “second to none”. He would never hesitate to remind us sometimes sternly that until we walked in the shoes or next to them of those less fortunate, we had no clue. Through the beautiful acceptance of his death from bladder cancer, Tom did more to support and teach us than we could have ever done for him. A true hero, Tom’s contagious smile and witty sense of humor will remain with us always.
Tom is predeceased by his mom, Josephine Keller, dad, James H. Keller, and his younger sister, Mary Jo Van Mierlo. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Janice, his children, Mark Keller and companion Cathleen Dubosky of Westbrook and Michelle Keller and companion Nate Walsh of Freeport, stepchildren in Nova Scotia Joseph, Stephen and Stacey Farrell, his brother Bill Keller and wife Carol of Windham, sister Jean Keller of South Portland, and John Keller and wife Laurie of Gray. Tom is also remembered by his dear, close friends, Mark Foley, Lois Galgay Reckitt, and Greg Burchstead.
At a later date, Tom’s life will be remembered and celebrated in Maine and Nova Scotia. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Through These Doors, PO Box 704, Portland, ME, 04104. www.throughthesedoors.org
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