Obituary

MICHAEL J. KEATING, SR. - in Woburn, Thursday, June 14th. Beloved husband of Eileen (McCarthy) Keating. Loving father of Michael J. Keating, Jr. and his wife Marion of Marblehead, Stephen T. Keating and his wife Cheryl of Ashby, David F. Keating and his wife Erin of Woburn, and Sharon A. Rexford and her husband Scott of Billerica. Dear brother of Kitty McGill and her late husband Jackie of Ireland and the late Jerome, John, and Timothy Keating and Mary Manning. Cherished grandfather of Brianna, Jason, Jennifer, Katheryn, Laura, Stephanie, Danielle, and Vanessa Keating and Aidan, Nolan, and Fiona Rexford. Funeral from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Wednesday, June 20th at 9:15 a.m. Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 10. Calling hours Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Donations may be made in Mr. Keating's memory to the Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston, 70 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.

OBITUARY:

Michael J. Keating, Sr., a native of Ireland and a resident of Woburn for the past forty years, passed away at his home Thursday morning, June 14th, with his loving family at his side. The beloved husband of Eileen (McCarthy) Keating, he was eighty years of age.

Born in Portmagee, County Kerry, Ireland, Michael was one of six children of the late Michael J. and Mary (Shea) Keating. As a young man in Ireland he was active in a variety of sports, including football and rowing, and was a part of the annual Portmagee Regatta as a member of the rowing team. He emigrated to the United States in 1957, taking up residence in Somerville. Described by his wife Eileen as a "topping dancer," he impressed her with his dancing abilities at the Saturday night Irish dances, and their courtship began. Following their marriage, they devoted themselves to their four children, moving eventually to Woburn in 1973. Throughout the years, Michael was an ardent supporter of his children's athletic activities and enjoyed watching them at the ice rinks and ballparks.

Michael worked as a bricklayer, retiring fifteen years ago, and was a member of Cement Masons Local 534. He also held membership in the Irish American Club of Arlington.

He and his wife loved to travel, making yearly trips to Ireland to visit family, as well as vacationing at the Irish Village in Cape Cod and taking cruises. His love of Irish music and dancing continued throughout his life, and even as his health declined, he enjoyed tapping his toes to the music at the Saturday night dances. He maintained his wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook throughout, never uttering a complaint. You might even hear him tell you to "cop onto yourself."

Preceding him in death were three brothers, Jerome, John, and Timothy Keating and his sister, Mary Manning.

Surviving, along with his wife Eileen, are three sons: Michael J. Keating, Jr. and his wife Marion of Marblehead, Stephen T. Keating and his wife Cheryl of Ashby, and David F. Keating and his wife Erin of Woburn, a daughter, Sharon A. Rexford and her husband Scott of Billerica, and his sister, Kitty McGill of Ireland. He was also the cherished grandfather of Brianna, Jason, Jennifer, Katheryn, Laura, Stephanie, Danielle, and Vanessa Keating and Aidan, Nolan, and Fiona Rexford.

The funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Wednesday, June 20th at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 10. Interment will be in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Donations may be made in Mr. Keating's memory to the Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston, 70 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.