Obituaries

Vincent Ettorie Keyes
February 20, 1930 – July 11, 2024

Vincent Ettorie Keyes, known affectionately as Vin, passed away at the age of 94 in San Francisco. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Vin attended the Coast Guard Academy and was in the United States Coast Guard. He served in the Korean War aboard the Magnolia from 1952 to 1956, including as Commanding Officer. He was honored with several recognitions, including the National Defense Service, United Nations Service and Korean Service medals.

After his military career Vin attended the University of San Francisco School of Law, practicing law in San Rafael for 36 years.

Vin was a devout member of the Cathedral of St Mary’s of the Assumption, where he participated actively in the community and found great solace and fellowship.

He’s survived by his nieces, Pauline (Keyes) and Richard Warboy Jr, Theresa Keyes, Marianne Keyes, Veronica (Keyes) and Anarge Frangos Jr, and his nephew, Raymond E Keyes. Vin was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond V and Mary (Roventini) Keyes, and his brother, Raymond F and Maureen (Healy) Keyes. His dedicated caregiver, Marline, tended to Vincent during his last six years with devotion, dignity and compassion.

JoeSam.
August 15, 1938 – June 1, 2024

JoeSam. was born Joseph Samuels in Harlem, New York, to a storied life. He didn’t know his parents and was raised by a caring array of colorful folks. If you spent any time with JoeSam. he’d tell you his stories! 

Joe was plucked from Harlem by Big Red, a social worker, who identified him as gifted and talented. He and his brother, James, arrived in Tuckahoe, New York, where they attended middle and high school. Joe was a star athlete while his artistic prowess landed him as editor of his high school yearbook. Joe was encouraged to go to art school, but he doubted he could earn a living as an artist; instead, he attended the Historically Black College and University, St. Paul’s College, in Minnesota.

James took another path. He joined the Marines and was killed in Vietnam. James’ portrait hangs in Tuckahoe’s Town Hall. Joe took his children and grandchildren to view James there.

Joe returned to New York after college to begin a career in juvenile justice and youth development. At Floyd Patterson House in the Lower East Side, Joe’s effectiveness with youth was noticed by educators. In the heat of the 1960s when the promise of change felt imminent, Joe joined a group of innovators convened at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Graduate School of Education to forge new approaches to close gaps between race and class in public schools. 

From Amherst, Joe arrived in San Francisco and jumped into community activism. On the boards of Mission Mental Health Clinic and San Francisco General Hospital, and director of Head Start Services, Joe made a reputation as someone who’d fight for children and families. 

In 1985 JoeSam. dedicated himself to his art, to take his social justice fight to a broader audience through his God-given talent. He exhibited in private spaces and The Grand Gallery in Oakland, won a National Endowment for the Arts award for his Black West Series, represented by Haines Gallery, and received several residencies, public art projects and global invitations to display his work. JoeSam. settled at ‘The Point” where he connected with the history of what’d been one of the Bay Area’s most vital Black communities. 

At The Point JoeSam. initiated STAR, a residency program for emerging artists. JoeSam.’s Black artists community became integral to his journey. The comradery they provide one another extends today, supporting work that goes beyond social commentary to the simple, vital expression of beauty and joy. 

In 2005 JoeSam. moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he continued making and exhibiting art. JoeSam.’s virtuosity, impact and multifaceted artistic career came into full view in ‘Text Messages’”, a solo show at the Museum of the African Diaspora in 2023-24.

Amidst his many accomplishments, JoeSam. was proudest of his children, who were at his side when he passed peacefully. He’s survived by Mike Samuels, Jason Samuels and Joeonna Bellorado-Samuels; his daughters in law Karla Reed Samuels and Stephanie Mayor Samuels; his grandchildren Kyle, Chase, Madison, Evan, Rommy, Seth, Carter and Warren; his great grandchildren, Jaydon, Jordan, Jayce, Noah, Emilia Rose, and Sai; siblings Gregory, and Loretta; nephews Ben and Orion Bellorado, their families and hundreds of friends and associates throughout the world. 

Rest in Paradise, JoeSam.

Family and friends will celebrate JoeSam. on September 1, 4 to 8 p.m., words at 6 p.m., 330 Mississippi Street, home of Donna Bellorado.