Keith William Veselsky

Keith William Veselsky Monday November 1, 1965 – Tuesday March 6, 2018 Cherished son of the late Edward and Doris (nee Evans) Veselsky Loving brother of Marylu (Michael) Amantea, Donna McLaughlin and Gary Rueschhoff, David (Patricia) Veselsky, Steven (Jana) Veselsky, Carol (the late Joel) Goodman, Barbara (Russell) Roberts, Patty Helmich, Edward (Kimberly) Veselsky, Kenneth Veselsky Dear uncle of Cheri (Jeff) Meador, Stephanie (Travis) Brown, Rebecca (David) Sharp, Richard (Carissa) Helmich, David (Natalia) Grindler, Joseph (Kristin) Veselsky, Michael (Amanda) Amantea, Erin (Greg) Wilson, Brenda (David) Carpenter, Russell Roberts and Jessica Ditch, Matthew (Julia) Amantea, Amanda Veselsky Great uncle to Austin, Cole, Logan Meador, Evan and Jacob Brown, Nathan and Kaitlyn Sharp, Alexander and Nicholas Grindler, Alexander, Amelia, Adrien Veselsky, Jonathan Wilson, Max Carpenter, Emmett Amantea Keith was born on November 1, 1965 in St. Louis, MO and was the youngest of the 10 children to Edward and Doris. As a child, Keith attended Holy Innocents and St. Mary’s and Joseph’s school where he developed many skills. One of his favorite things was his annual trip to Sunny Hill Camp where he could go have fun with friends, enjoy the numerous outdoor activities, and most of all craft time. Keith really enjoyed crafts and was famous for his homemade cards that everyone got for their birthday or Christmas. He really liked watching NASCAR races, St. Louis Blues and Cardinals. He was a collector to many things and enjoyed listening to music. He would whistle along and had several favorites like Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, and The J. Gells Band to name a few. He worked at Lafayette Industries for 13 years and performed several different duties while working there. Keith, who was born with Down Syndrome, which provided him with many challenges, lived a full and extraordinary life. He was a strong and optimistic man and was an inspiration to everyone who had the opportunity to know him. As we all know, there were things that Keith couldn’t do. He couldn’t drive a car; he couldn’t live on his own. He couldn’t do many things other people take for granted every day. That’s not who we saw, there was so much more he could do. He taught ALL of us LOVE, PATIENCE, GRACE, LAUGHTER, and PERSERVEANCE. Keith could express his love with a look, with a smile, with a BIG squeeze. He would always greet everyone and was excited to meet new people. Love isn’t only shared through words. Love is much deeper than words. There were more things he could do. He inspired others to try harder. By seeing him work hard to overcome his own challenges, it reminded others to work harder as well. He helped teach us about our own strengths and gifts in this way. He also taught us how to be happy because he took joy in simple things – joy in seeing his family, joy in his favorite bears Andy and Angie, joy in watching the NASCAR race. We could look to him for an example of perseverance and inner strength, as he continued to fight battles in health and limitations that would crush many of us. He showed us what it is to be strong, because strength is not just found in being the biggest, the toughest or the fastest. Strength is found in one who keeps on going, keeps trying, day after day, long after others give up. Strength is found in one who knows success isn’t always big and flashy, but knows that sometimes the greatest success is found in the tiniest of victories. Keith gave us the gift of perspective. He reminded us that most of our problems are not really problems, and to be grateful for what we have. We must cherish the sweet, beautiful moments we have every day, because ultimately life is fragile and someday all too soon, we must say goodbye. Keith gave us the gift of unconditional love. Unconditional love is loving even when it hurts, even when it’s not easy. It’s loving because you simply can’t help but love. And that is the greatest triumph of any life. To love and be loved. And Keith taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reasons. For the best gift he gave us, was his very life. He was a gift. For all the ways he taught us about life and love, for all the ways he inspired us to be better, and for all the love he gave while he was here with us, he was a gift to each of us. May we never forget this beautiful gift. Keith was a son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, cousin, and friend to so many and will truly be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis

Keith William Veselsky

November 1, 1965 - March 6, 2018