HOLLYWOOD, FL – Florida Agenda News Writer Bob Kecskemety lost his long-time battle with bone cancer late last evening, dying peacefully at Hospice by the Sea in Hollywood. He had been a patient at the healthcare facility since May 25.

Kecskemety, 60, graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School, and briefly attended Broward Community College. He first became well known to the gay community through his entertaining column in Scoop Magazine in the 1990’s, titled “Shut Up and Focus,” published by former Agenda advertising executive Brad Casey.

A longtime Poinsettia Height resident and Cleveland, Ohio, native, Kecskemety was aware of his terminal condition, yet continued to write for the Agenda until the end of March. “Even when he was no longer able to write, he faithfully attended every editorial staff meeting,” Agenda publisher Bobby Blair said, “and he remained on our masthead. He was a consummate professional and friend, and all of us at the Agenda extend our condolences to his close friend and caregiver Tim Yatteau.”

In a New Year’s piece in the January 7 issue of Agenda, Kecskemety wrote, “Each year, I write a feature in the last issue of the year for whatever publication I have worked for, getting New Year’s resolutions from people in the community, and though I would have liked to have gotten many more for last week’s issue of the Agenda than I did, I was too weak to continue. One person, who I asked for his resolution a week ago, turned the tables on me and asked me what my New Year’s resolution was. I simply replied, ‘2013.’

While Bob Kecskemety died before reaching his goal, his written words will forever continue to voice his message of tolerance and acceptance for all.