Grieving A Loss

Community journalism only works when talented people step forward to be a part of it. Phil Keith, an accomplished author, was one of those people who felt he had something to contribute: a traditional conservative voice on the OpEd pages of his local newspapers, which needed one.

Phil, who died unexpectedly last week at age 74, was so much more: a proud Harvard grad; a Vietnam War veteran who flew Phantom F-4s and won two Purple Hearts, among his commendations, and served 25 years in the service of his country; a successful businessman; a teacher; an award-winning author; a Southampton Town official; and a father and loving mate. And a good, generous friend to many.

Phil’s column was titled “Mostly Right,” and that title said a lot. He was, in fact, a conservative Republican but a reasonable man who saw past the politics of the day, which served to demean and destroy. He followed no strict ideology. From the earliest days, he was an avowed critic of President Donald Trump and felt passionate about his need to speak up against a man he believed was in no way a conservative, and was poison for his beloved Republican Party.

Phil also may have included the “mostly” because it was his nature to be self-effacing: He believed he was right about the issues he wrote about, but he was always open to a good debate.

As Phil Keith’s voice falls silent, his friends and colleagues at the Express News Group grieve the resulting silence. He had plenty more to say — and he was, of course, mostly right.