Keith Marlin Raftery of Stockbridge, MA died peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from glioblastoma (brain tumor).

Keith was born April 22, 1939, son of the late Leo M. Raftery and Phyllis C. Raftery at St. Lukes Hospital in Pittsfield, MA. He graduated from Lee High School in 1957 and was a proud member of the 1955 and 1956 Football teams that won the Western Massachusetts Class "B" Championship in 1956. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army and served with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany as a truck driver. He served until 1962.

In June 1965, Keith married Marie Palmer of Becket, MA and they started their family.

He graduated from Coyne Electrical and Technical School in Boston, MA in 1965 as a Design Electrical Draftsman. He was employed at the Clark-Aiken Company in Lee until 1986. During that time, he became the Head of the Electrical Department. Keith and Marie then bought the Village Snack Shop in Lenox and operated it until 1998. He was last employed as a licensed electrician at Henry's Electric in Lee, retiring in 2011.

In 1961, Keith became a member of the Evening Star Lodge of Masons in Lee. He served as Master of Lee Lodge and District Deputy Grand Master for the Pittsfield 16th Masonic District. He was also a member of the Melha Shrine Temple in Springfield, MA since 1968. Additionally, he served on the Stockbridge Finance Committee for 17 years and the Memorial Day Parade Committee since 2001.

He is predeceased by his mother Phyllis C. Judd and step-father Frederick A. Judd of Lee, MA, and cousins Tom Kelly of Lee, MA and Lynn Kelly Ryan of Great Barrington, MA.

Keith is survived by his wife Marie; daughter Kim Raftery, her husband Michael Prelli and daughter Amanda, of Becket, MA; daughter Kathy Paredes, her husband Rafael Paredes and sons Zachary and Alexander, of Burke, VA; and son Kevin Raftery, his wife Chhorvy Ou and daughter Tayla and son Tyger of North Attleboro, MA.

He often said that without his supportive, loving wife Marie, he could not have accomplished all of this.

The family is deeply grateful for the loving care and support from the staff at Springside Nursing Home in Pittsfield, MA.

Funeral services for Keith Raftery will be held at the Stockbridge Congregational Church on Wednesday, September 9 at 9:30; burial with full military honors will follow in Stockbridge Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 8, from 4-6 at the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Keith's memory to the Stockbridge Police Department, the Stockbridge Fire Department, or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in care of the funeral home.

Stockbridge Fire Dept.
C/O Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee MA 01238

Stockbridge Police Dept.
c/o Kelly Funeral Home, MA

Dana Farber Cancer Institute
c/o Kelly Funeral Home, MA