John A. Keiser

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of John A. Keiser, age 33, of Beltsville, Maryland on February 10, 2023. Having grown up “in the Chesapeake Bay area”, he attended St. Mark’s Elementary School in Hyattsville, DeMatha Catholic High School and Howard Community College. From a very early age, John suffered from asthma and severe food allergies which made him focus on food. Later, several culinary classes at HCC inspired him even more and he began to train under Chef Robert Wiedmaier at Marcel’s Restaurant in Washington, D. C. His passion for fine dining only grew as he worked as a line cook at Volt, Rose’s Luxury, Fiola Mare, and the Oval Room among others. He became a sous chef at Garrison in D.C. and when it closed, he moved to Tosca (1112 F St. NW) where he worked as Chef de cuisine until his death.

John is survived by his mother, Leslie Keiser of Beltsville; his sister, Diana Schaeffer (David) of Sykesville; his brother, James (Aamina) of Greenbelt; his niece, Kayleigh Ann Schaeffer; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members. John is predeceased by his father, John J. Keiser; his grandparents Marie Williams of Somers Point, NJ; Mary and Leslie Friend of West Haven, CT; and a nephew, Jackson B. Keiser, of Greenbelt, Md.

John leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all those who knew him. While he could be somewhat gruff on the outside, he could also be a very loving son, brother, uncle, friend, and co-worker. Everyone acknowledged that he had a “presence” whenever he walked into a room, often entertaining us with his improvisations and uncanny impersonations of people and their quirks. John could always make us laugh. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 11007 Montgomery Rd., Beltsville, followed by the funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial at George Washington Cemetery on Riggs Road in Adelphi will follow immediately. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to DC Central Kitchen in John’s memory.