Obituary of Keith E. Ballard

Keith E. Ballard, 70, of Owego went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 1, 2016. Mr. Ballard was predeceased by his parents, Hazen and Anne (Nichols) Ballard: infant brother, Douglas Ballard; mother and father-in-law, Girard and Rita (McLean) Gavin; brother-in-law, Stephen Gavin. Keith is survived by his wife of 48 years, Susan (Gavin) Ballard; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sara Ballard; granddaughter, Sheridan Ballard, four brothers and sisters in-law, Donald Ballard, Stuart William Ballard, Gerald and Linda Ballard, Robert and Adele Ballard; two sisters-in-law, Toni (Pianosi) Gavin, Kathleen (Gavin) and Robert McCone; several nieces and nephews, Daron Ballard, Cherie Ballard, Wendy (Ballard) Ford, Amy (Ballard) Pierce, Casey Ballard, Corey Ballard, Erin (McCone) Fitzgibbons, Kellie (McCone) McClellan, Megan (McCone) Kolacinski, Patrick Gavin, Timothy Gavin and Daniel Gavin; as well as several grandnieces and nephews. Keith was a devoted member of Saint Patrick’s Church in Owego for more than 45 years where he served on several committees and ministry groups. Keith was a graduate of Vestal Central High School and had a distinguished career of 44 years at IBM Corporation, Loral Corporation and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Before retiring in 2010, he held the position of Program Manager in the Advanced Product Solutions organization at Lockheed Martin. Keith was proud of his accomplishments and enjoyed mentoring junior leaders. He is remembered as a kind co-worker, friend, and true professional. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday Evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego. Memorial contributions may be made in Keith’s name to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.