Keefe Insurance Sold to Wellesley Firm

It takes a lot for a small business to last a century. According to the Keefe Insurance Agency website, the West Central Street firm, turned 100 in 2013. And, according to a recent announcement is becoming part of another century-old firm, Wellesley-based Deland, Gibson, founded in 1900.

An email to Keefe President, Robert Keras, who joined the company originally in 1979, eventually becoming a co-owner, yielded an email not indicating that he had retired from Keefe Insurance Agency. “It has been a great ride for 42 years and I truly appreciate all the business relationships and friendships we've made along the way,” he wrote. He also noted that “all the team in Franklin are here to assist you,” he added.

During his tenure, Keras was involved in the general management of the firm and in the sales and service functions of the business and personal lines insurance areas. He was active in a number of community service organizations including the United Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Educational Foundation, and the Franklin Gridiron Club, the booster organization for the Franklin High football program.

Deland, Gibson was originally founded in Boston by Charles E. Deland and named The Deland Insurance Agency. George Gibson, Deland’s nephew took over in 1935 and ran the agency until 1986. In 2015 the Fourth Generation joined the company and currently claims to have $50 million of written premiums.