Keith Thomas Berezwick
Keith Thomas Berezwick “Sheriff 20” – currently of New Ringgold and formerly of Mahanoy Plane passed away Thursday morning November 4, 2021 surrounded by his family after a courageous five month battle with Colorectal Cancer.
Keith is survived by his wife of 9 years, Elizabeth Berezwick, his dogs Jack and Stout, his father Matthew Berezwick, his brother Kyle Berezwick and his wife Megan, a brother-in-law Andrew Kalista and his wife Meghan, his father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Carol Kalista, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless number of friends that loved and adored him.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Susan B. Berezwick, maternal grandparents, Thomas and Helen Evans, paternal grandparents, Michael and Margaret Berezwick and dog, Bourbon.
Keith was a 1999 graduate of Cardinal Brennan, where he played on the high school soccer and baseball teams. After high school, Keith attended Bloomsburg University and graduated with a criminal justice degree in 2003 before attending the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Deputy Basic Training at Penn State.
On March 22nd of 2004, Keith was sworn in as a deputy Sheriff for the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Angie McAndrew. Serving for over 10 years, Keith earned a promotion in 2014 to Sergeant under Joseph Groody for his dedication and exemplary work for the citizens of Schuylkill County.
As an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Keith would speak to elementary schools and scout troops about the law enforcement field and his passion to protect and serve. One of the highlights of his career was when a friend’s daughter asked to interview him for a school project.
Growing up Keith had a passion for hockey, which was cheered on by his Pop, Thomas Evans. Almost every, night Keith was shooting pucks in the streets of “The Foot”. Soon enough, Keith was in search for a sheet of ice and his Pop knew just the place, Hershey Pennsylvania. Keith would become a member of the Junior Hershey Bears. The weekly commutes made to Hershey proved to be very special for both. The time in the car and stops for dinner at their favorite place, Funck’s Restaurant, allowed for some great bonding. In 2014, Keith connected with an old friend and started playing adult hockey with the Pylons out of the Harrisburg Area. He loved this time on the ice with his team and loved taking Elizabeth to watch him play.
As Keith grew older and started a career, he picked up the game of golf and began working as a starter at Mountain Valley and was usually working every Sunday afternoon. Keith was a regular face at Mountain Valley and a beloved employee, not only by management but also the regulars whom he would greet with a smile, a score card and a cart key.
His time at Mountain Valley became more than just a hobby. He developed lifelong friendships, one of which would usher him into his next chapters. He met his wife Elizabeth at Mountain Valley after being introduced to her by her brother and his friend at his mom’s 50th Birthday party.
Keith’s passion for golf continued till this year where he was a frequent participant in many scrambles and always enjoyed his regular foursome, where he was always the big hitter with crushing drives. Even after his cancer diagnosis, golf played a critical role in keeping his infectious smile. He played his last round of golf May 22 but continued to watch the weekend tournaments, always firing off a text to friends about great shots and bad ones. Keith’s signature moment on the links was when he developed and hosted with his brother, Kyle, the Susan B. Berezwick Educational Award Golf Tournament in memory of his mom.
The outdoors provided a special place for Keith. His entire life he loved riding through the trails on an ATV or his side-by-side with his friends and yes even sometimes his wife. Some of his favorite days were after a long ride through the coal banks and covered in dust. His favorite rides took place around their house in New Ringgold when it was just him, Elizabeth, and his beloved dogs Jack and Stout who were always by his side. Many times they would make their way to the railroad track to see a train go by and hear the whistle.
Keith loved people. He always was happy to host a gathering at the house or attend one at any friend’s house. As night would fall, it was never a shock to see him staring out at a gorgeous sunset. The sunsets at Tunnel Road were his absolute favorite. Once the sun would set, that is when Keith would become the life of the party with his quick wit and also his famous ability to sing any classic rock song no matter the location. Whether it be from his back patio, a friend’s pool, his lawnmower or restaurant with a juke box, Keith always had the perfect song in his head to entertain everyone.
For the last 11 years, Keith made his way to Penn State to tailgate during Penn State games. At the start of those trips, he liked to go into the games, but that was soon discovered to be a tactic to please Elizabeth. His one and only true goal on Saturdays in Happy Valley was to be in charge of the tailgate as head chef. His happiest times in the lot were grilling, tossing pizzas, and making his way around to other nearby spots to say hello to all of his new friends.
As football season would wind down and the holidays got closer, Keith was always ahead of the game. Christmas lights would begin to be put up in the Sheriff’s office the day after Halloween, and his lights on his own house were always up early as well and stayed up till February. The only thing brighter than bulbs at Christmas time was his smile when entering a room. The holidays also gave him another way to interact with the community, as in his free time, he took his charm and quick witted one liners to Shenandoah and Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, where he was thrilled to help when he was needed.
For the last five months, Keith was surrounded by his family and friends. He was assuring them that he was not giving up the fight. He sat one night with a group of old friends and enjoyed one of his favorite foods...a Tony’s Screamer. He smiled for days over that night, telling Elizabeth how lucky he was to have good people around him.
A Celebration of Keith’s Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 12th from Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville. Friends are invited to his visitation at the golf course on Friday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of service and are encouraged to dress in Keith’s favorite color Blue or your Keith Strong shirts. Interment will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Frackville, where he will be laid to rest by his mother Susan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Susan B. Berezwick and Sgt. Keith T. Berezwick Memorial Education Fund. Schuylkill Area Community Foundation: 216 S. Centre St., Pottsville Pa 17901.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
