SourcingAug 12, 2025
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IndependentsJul 07, 2020
Henry Nelson Keyser of Simons Brothers Co. Dies at 101
He worked until age 99.
Merion Station, Pa.—Henry Nelson Keyser, head of Simons Brothers Co., has died at 101.
Keyser was born Oct. 3, 1918 in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
According to his obituary, Keyser served as an aviation machinist in the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II.
Upon returning from the war, he married Mary McCaffrey in 1948. They went on to have seven children.
He then moved on to Simons Brothers Co., a gold and silver jewelry manufacturer based in Philadelphia, which he bought in the early 1960s.
Keyser worked there, alongside his children, until he was 99.
He was known as a “doting husband” during his 70 years of marriage, according to his obituary.
He was also dedicated to his customers, meeting with them in his old age, and even received a 99th birthday cake from customers in Michigan.
Keyser is survived by his children, Mary Jane Keyser, Henry Nelson Keyser III (Mary Ellen), Susan Keyser, Stephen J. Keyser, Michael J. Keyser (Catherine) and Virginia Keyser (Stephen Gibson), daughter-in-law Katherine, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Keyser’s memory may be made to Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 317, Maryknoll, NY 10545.
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