Samuel “Skip” Keesal Jr., a securities and maritime lawyer who, after founding what became the city’s foremost law firm, became a pillar of the Long Beach establishment with a charm to court presidents, investment tycoons and chancellors alike — and who later dedicated his talents to philanthropy and equestrian sports — died on Tuesday at his home in Rolling Hills. He was 86.
His family said the cause of death was cancer.
It was Keesal’s father who gave him the nickname “Skip” because when he was away from home, Keesal was the “skipper of the ship.”…