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Keith Viagas
Keith Viagas, a lifelong fan of great music, died on August 6 of drowning near his home in Sag Harbor. He was 63.
Viagas grew up in Franklin Square, attending both John Street School and H. Frank Carey High School, where he appeared in musicals including “Promises, Promises” and “The Sound of Music.” His late father, Anthony Viagas, was a jazz musician, and he lived in a home filled with music. At one point, Viagas would be playing piano while his father practiced drums in the basement and his younger brother, the late Charles Viagas, played drums with his rock band in the garage. It was a glorious cacophony, his family said.
Viagas pursued degrees in both law and music in college, eventually studying music theory and composition at The Juilliard School in New York City. His unusual twin background earned him a job at New York City Opera, where he rose to the position of director for artistic planning at the opera’s Lincoln Center headquarters. Among his responsibilities was negotiating contracts with the opera’s various unions. He also managed the sheet music used by the various opera artists, and became an expert in operatic music of all eras, his family said.
After leaving City Opera, Viagas pursued his interests in cooking, becoming a chef with Wild by Nature stores, where he created gourmet meals, including bountiful Thanksgiving feasts, for hundreds of customers.
Viagas never lost his interest in music. Every Christmas Eve, he would take part in family concerts. One of the highlights was his transposition of cheery Christmas carols into hilariously scary minor keys to the delight of his younger relatives.
In a brief foray into movies, he played the role of a priest in the 2018 horror film “Cain.”
Viagas had a wide circle of friends in Sag Harbor on Long Island’s South Fork. He often boated on his beloved Peconic Bay, his family said, where he happily spent what turned out to be his final days.
He is survived by his partner of 36 years, Stephen Loeffler; his mother, Lillian Viagas; his elder brother, Robert Viagas; sister-in-law Donna Martin-Viagas; and several nephews and nieces.
His family stated: “Rest in Peace dear Keith. Your memory will continue to enrich our lives forever.”
Details for a celebration of life will be forthcoming.
Donations in his memory to support scholarships at Julliard may be made to The Julliard School online at giving.juilliard.edu, by mail via check payable to The Juilliard School, sent to the Development Office, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, or by phone at 212-799-5000 ext. 309.
Staff Writer on Aug 15, 2022