Locksmith knew the key to life was more than his work

By Staci Dennis

VIRGINIA BEACH

For Maury Kroll, holding the key to someone's life was all in a day's work.

He was the last in a line of Kroll locksmiths dating to his grandfather. The family business included uncles, brothers and his father.

"One of his favorite things to do was help people get out of a pickle," said his oldest daughter, JoAnn Kroll. "He never made people feel bad when they locked their keys in the house or in the car. He just came and saved the day."

Maury Kroll, who died Jan. 21 at age 85, was a master locksmith. His family business dates to 1922.

"When you have the keys to the most precious things in people's lives, you have to be a person of integrity," JoAnn Kroll said. "He never abused people's trust, and he always took his job seriously."

After high school, Maury Kroll worked at the Norfolk Navy Yard as a machinist and then served in the Army Air Corps in World War II.

Kroll came back to learn the locksmith trade from his father. After mastering the art of making keys, Kroll taught countless young men all he knew.

He once even re-keyed an entire aircraft carrier for security reasons.

"He gave a lot of young men their start in life," JoAnn said. "He poured his heart into it."

No matter what was going on in the locksmith world, Kroll always made it a priority to get home for a family dinner. The group would recount stories of the day and make sure everyone had a chance to talk.

"He would always have a great story to tell us about something that happened that day," said Lori Cox, Kroll's third daughter. "That was a precious time for all of us."

After dinner, Kroll would play catch in the yard with his four daughters.

"Sometimes he would take us to work with him, and that was always a big treat," Lori said. "We would always get a Coke and a MoonPie."

In retirement, Kroll enjoyed spending his days walking on the Boardwalk.

"He was a social butterfly," Lori said. "Every day he would go out, he would come back with two or three new friends."

Kroll would stop to play cards and visit people by the pool.

"He tried to instill in everyone he knew that it is good to be generous, responsible and kind," JoAnn said.

"His life wasn't about his business or being successful - it was about the relationships he built through the years and the lives he touched, including his family."

Postscripts, (757) 446-2456, postscripts@pilotonline.com