HAMPTON - Keith Darby, 60, passed away Monday, Feb. 1, after a tough battle with cancer.
Keith was a graduate of Kecoughtan High School and attended Old Dominion University.
His love of the sea began while his family lived in Hawaii. There, he spent many hours on his surfboard, and after moving to Virginia he later became a professional East Coast surfer.
As an avid sailor, he crewed on a boat that won the prestigious Newport to Bermuda Lighthouse Trophy. He logged thousands of miles as a delivery captain and was the owner of Darby Yacht Services.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Darby.
He is survived by his father, John B. Darby of Hampton; his sister, Beth Gore and her husband, Thurston of Newport News; his brother, Bruce Darby and his wife, Lee of Tiburon, Calif.; his niece, Erin Camden and her husband, Jeremy Camden of Richmond; his niece, Elizabeth Darby of San Francisco; and his nephews, Austin Darby Gore of Harrisonburg and Brendan Darby of San Francisco. He is also survived by his companion and caregiver, Ms. Stuart Curry and her son, Lucien.
The family wishes to thank Keith's nurse Erin Tierney, of Sentara Home Care Services for her exceptional care and compassion.
A celebration of Keith's life will be held at Goody's Deli & Pub in Downtown Hampton on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 3 to 6 p.m.
R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.