Obituary of Francis Keating

Francis J. “Frank” Keating

Proud of his Irish Heritage, Beloved family storyteller

Frank Keating recently of Denville, NJ, formerly of Longmont CO, Highland Park NJ and Northport NY transitioned to eternal life on April 11, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.

Frank was born in Jackson Heights, New York to John and Jennie Flynn Keating on October 24, 1930 the last of five children having arrived mere minutes after his twin brother Vincent. Son of a hard-working New York City taxi driver, Frank grew up appreciating hard work; the hustling neighborhood kid looking for the odd job to make some pocket money.

Frank proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Stationed in Berlin and Libya, he was tasked with translating intercepted Russian communications. While never divulging classified secrets, he did share an episode or two of his adventures while on leave.

After the service Frank was back in the New York City area, where a chance meeting on a beach led to his courtship and marriage to (Helen) Patricia Foley of Yonkers NY in January 1957. Together they raised two sons, Paul and Joseph.

He took advantage of the “GI” bill at Fordham University. He was a career banker, starting at Irving Trust Company and then managing branches and commercial lending operations for Long Island Trust Company and the Provident Bank in Jersey City, NJ.

Franks left his career in banking in the mid 1980’s to care for his love Patricia as she suffered from the effects of ALS until her passing in 1986. They had a wonderful life together, renovating a bungalow on the water in Northport, enjoying European travel, classical music, opera and the appreciation of their many good friends and close neighbors.

Frank continued to show his love of life and in 1989 married Joan Waters Sweeney. Together they made a home In Highland Park, NJ and Longmont CO while traveling the country to visit family and friends.

Frank will always be remembered for that long joke with no apparent punch line. He enjoyed his role as family patriarch, ready to step in when you needed a hand. Frank was also an artist, producing many oil paintings and the occasional doll house.

Surviving is his twin brother, Vincent Keating, son Paul, beloved daughter in law Janet (Wasilewski), son Joseph and cherished daughter in law Kimberly (Kuhn) and five grandsons, Justin, Connor, Jack, Cameron and Daniel.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 11:00 am.  

The family requests that donations in memory of Frank be made to The ALS Association CT Chapter, 4 Oxford Rd. Ste. E-4, Milford, CT, 06460.