Keith E. Atlas of El Cajon, CA and a twenty five year resident of Orange County died on April 4, 2014, at the family home, with his wife and stepsons by his side. Keith had been sick for most of the past year and endured his illness with great dignity and never complained.
Keith is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Donna and her sons, Timothy Sorensen of El Cajon, CA and Christopher Sorensen of Portland, OR; his parents, Donald A. and Ruth Atlas of Slate Hill, NY; his sister, Valerie Fernandes, her husband, Greg and their children, David and Christine; his brother, Don P. Atlas, his wife, Ellen and their children, Kathleen and her husband, James and their children, Conor and Grace, Peter, Jean and her husband, Wesley, Kara and her fiance, Bryan; his brother, Scott Atlas, his wife, Lynn and their children, John, Emily, Rebecca, Caroline and Claire; his sister in law, JoAnn Atlas and her children, Gregg and Sara. He is predeceased by his brother, Gregg A. Atlas [who was killed during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001].
Keith served as a police officer in the NYPD, as did his father, for five years until he transferred to the FDNY. He spent his entire career as a firefighter in Engine 35, located in Harlem, NY. His three brothers were also members of the FDNY at the same time as Keith, and he proudly served with the department until he retired in 2003. He also owned his own excavation company, K Atlas Excavating, until he retired from that business in 2012.
Keith was a man who was devoted to his family, made friends easily and was always ready to help any family member or friend who needed assistance. One family member described his life as “Keith to the rescue” He thoroughly enjoyed his life, tried his best to never miss a party, and genuinely cared about the people he assisted in business and as a firefighter.
There will be a memorial mass to celebrate Keith’s life at Holy Cross Church on April 26, 2014 at 1 p.m. The address of the church is 626 County Route 22, Middletown, NY 10940, 845-355-4439.
The family of Keith Atlas respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers a contribution be made to your local Hospice agency as they were so helpful in making Keith’s last days comfortable.
