Henry Keezing, 77; was retired editor of Conn. newspaper

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Henry "Hank" Keezing, the former longtime executive editor of The Herald of New Britain, has died. He was 77.

The newspaper said Mr. Keezing died Wednesday after a brief illness. His career at The Herald spanned more than 50 years. Mr. Keezing became executive editor in the mid-1980s and retired in 1993.

His colleagues remembered him as an erudite journalist who made The Herald a family newspaper.

"Henry placed a very high premium and set a very high standard on the importance of local editorials and the role of a daily newspaper to help set the agenda for a community," said New Britain Chamber of Commerce president Bill Millerick, who was named The Herald's editorial page director in 1985.

Mr. Keezing also campaigned tirelessly for the state's Freedom of Information laws.

A series of Mr. Keezing's editorials on the state's investigation into rigged civil service promotional examinations resulted in the conviction of several city employees on criminal charges.

Mr. Keezing called editorial writing a delicate balancing act between writing his own views, respecting the wishes of Herald management, and tempering his words to benefit the community as he understood it.

During his retirement, Mr. Keezing wrote a weekly column, "In Focus," which was based on life in New Britain and Florida, where he vacationed.

Mr. Keezing was born in Boston. A graduate of Boston University's School of Communications, he began his career at a weekly newspaper in Thomaston shortly before joining The Herald.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Shirley; three sons; and four grandchildren.