For more than five decades, Keith Sheldon was a significant community contributor in northern Chautauqua County. He served as a member of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Lions Club, was in charge of the club’s loan closet at his home.

He was a member of the Barker Library board of directors for more than 30 years while also spending time on the Fredonia Planning Board and the Salvation Army Board of Directors.

Sheldon always understood the responsibility of being an editor in a small community. Always accountable, he returned phone calls and dealt with his share of unhappy — and sometimes satisfied — customers.

His death on Dec. 27 was met with sadness by many who had been touched by him. Former OBSERVER Lifestyles Editor Tracie Lorenzo might have said it best in a Facebook post remembering Sheldon’s grace and commitment shortly after his passing.

“One thing that has always stuck out as I think about him was his way with people,” she wrote. “It was the OBSERVER so there were a lot of people not always happy with what appeared in print that day and my desk was directly at the end of the long hall leading into the newsroom. People would storm down that hall and demand to speak with the editor. … I remember one man in-particular who was involved in a disturbing event. He was distraught and extremely unhappy with the reporting.

“I can still see him storming down the hall. But he, like all the others before and after him, walked into the editors office ready for battle, but left shaking hands and content, like they just left lunch with an old friend.

“I always joked with him that I wanted to be a fly on his office wall to figure out how he did it. Even after he left the newspaper he remained a mentor and friend, always taking my calls and even welcoming me to his coffee group one morning.

“Sometimes we overlook the amazing guidance right in front of us. We might appreciate it in the moment, but time makes it lose its relevance. Older and wiser now, I’m glad I was able to reflect on what an inspirational leader, mentor and friend this man was.”

May he rest in peace.