Hugh Mapletoft Keizs was born in Kingston, Jamaica on December 21, 1938. He was the first child of Eileen and Reginald Keizs and joined the household that included his maternal grandmother Mary Jane Burgher, and his aunt, Phyllis Burgher who was only six years his senior. Hugh was soon joined by his sister Jean (deceased), followed by siblings Marcia, Dale, Manley, and Sonia. His early years living on Church Street, Chisholm Avenue, and Westminster Road, were filled with love. He attended St Georges and Calabar Elementary Schools and later attended and graduated from Calabar High School.
As a young man, Hugh first worked at the Jamaica Rum Shop; the government regulatory agency that controlled Jamaica’s rum industry; before leaving Jamaica for the shores of England in 1959. He was a part of the Windrush Generation; Caribbean people who migrated to England in pursuit of greater economic opportunities post-WWII through the early 1970s. This move was in great part urged by his father Reginald, who was a strong believer in the overseas experience having seen how it broadened his own horizons as a young man.
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In England, Hugh joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). In 1961, he married Sybil Sylvia Jennings with whom he had three children: Howard, Nanaesi, and Sonji. The family resided in Thornton Heath, Surrey where Hugh worked with the London Transportation Company as a bus driver. In the early 1970s, Hugh and his family relocated to the U.S.A. where he resided first in the Bronx and then in Brooklyn. Hugh worked for a printing company that required travel to the City of Philadelphia, where he lived for a short while. Thereafter, he launched his own small trucking business. During this time, his marriage to Sybil dissolved. Even so, he strongly valued family and remained committed to his children, maintaining a constant and active presence in their lives. In due time, Hugh met Elaine Dixon whom he married in 1983. Residing in Brooklyn, Hugh’s family circle happily expanded to include members of Elaine’s family; first and foremost, her children Mark and Angela.
In Brooklyn, Hugh was a member of the Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle where he was baptized; served as a Deacon; and was active in the Men’s Fellowship. He formed significant friendships with members of the congregation that remained intact throughout his lifetime. Later in life, Hugh also pursued a college degree receiving the AA in Liberal Arts from Medgar Evers College/CUNY. Following his sisters’ footsteps, he began a late career in higher education, serving as a College Laboratory Technician at Bronx Community College /CUNY, Department of Education from which he retired in 2014. At BCC, he became a great mentor and friend to many of his younger colleagues who sought his wisdom in both professional and personal matters.
In retirement, Hugh and Elaine relocated to Sunrise, FL. Hugh became a member of the Merrell United Methodist Church where he worshipped regularly. In this phase of his life, he also enjoyed many extended family gatherings and partook in travels abroad to destinations including Rome, the Greek Isles, Ghana, Panama, London, Denmark, and of course Jamaica.
A friend to many, Hugh was loved and respected by all who knew him. Elaine describes him as a good-hearted man and her best friend. Hugh’s character traits include self-effacing humor, keen insights drawn from his expansive reading, and a very dry wit.
These qualities were the foundation of the rock-solid friendship he had with his children as adults; a blessing that he counts himself fortunate to have had right up to his last breath. He generously shared that relationship with his whole family, which was much appreciated; especially by those not blessed to have children of their own. That is a most precious legacy.
Since being diagnosed with cancer in May of 2024, Hughie has shown remarkable resilience and focus during his months of rehabilitation. There was also an openness to the future tinged with the reality of his situation, knowing that he had lived a full and rewarding life and was surrounded by love. He was able to spend quality time with his wife, children, siblings, extended family, and friends who had been there to support him in this last leg of his journey.
Hugh passed peacefully on December 23, 2024, two days after his 86th birthday at Catholic Holy Cross Hospice, Fort Lauderdale. FL. “After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well.”
Sadly mourning him are his wife Elaine; former spouse, Sybil; Aunt, Phyllis and husband Vincent; children: son Howard; daughter Nanaesi and husband Jerry; daughter Sonji; sisters Marcia and Sonia and husband John; brothers Dale, Manley, and wife Ilze; step brother Jimmy; Grandchildren Jessica, Esiri and husband Demerest; Sasha; Tobore and wife Ashley; Denae, and Colin Jr; great-granddaughter Jaida. Cousins: Roseneath (Bunny), Else, Lucille, Eileen, Stanley, Hopeton; Nathlye; nieces and nephews Judanna and husband Ronald Jr., Hal, and Duane and wife Corrie; Angela, Melanie; great-nieces and great-nephews; stepchildren Mark and Angela; extended family Beverly, Ripton and Michael (among others); and family and friends in New York, Florida, Canada, Jamaica, Panama, and Europe.
Hugh now resides in God’s presence where there is fullness of joy and life evermore.
