Henry Benjamin Keating's Obituary
Henry Benjamin Keating, loving husband, father and grandfather, born January 1, 1927, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 16, 2009. Henry was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in Point Pleasant for his early years. After the death of his mother, his father and sisters moved to Elizabeth, NJ. He attended St. Genevieve’s Grade School and St. Benedict High School Prep. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. During W.W. II, Henry served from 1944 to 1946 in the CBI Theatre as an EMC3. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Henry graduated from St. John’s University in New York City in 1951 with a B.B.A. in Accounting. His 35 year career at St. Regis Paper Company began in 1956. He met his future wife, Patricia, in 1954 and married in May of 1956. Henry and Pat’s first date was to a Princeton/Penn football game. The date progressed to a movie, dinner and a late drink to which Pat’s father said, “That was some date.” Their daughters Sharon, Kathleen and Patricia were born in New Jersey. Following a move to Texas in 1966, their family was completed with the addition of their fourth daughter, Maureen. As one of the early members of St. Rita Parish, Henry felt Catholic education was paramount for his children. All four daughters were blessed with a Catholic upbringing. Survived by his loving wife of 52 years Patricia and his four daughters, Sharon and her husband Paul McQuown; Kathleen and her husband Jerry Precise; Patricia A. Keating, and Maureen and her husband Mike Vance; Sisters Catherine Foster and Clare Guinee; Grandchildren Allison, Eric, Shannon, Tim, Henry, Katie and Anne Marie. Henry was “Daddy” to his four girls. He loved his family dearly and often said that he had lived a good life. His philosophy was that his glass was half full. He also liked the little blessings in life, like a good parking space, “This is the best I could do!” or a sale of Blue Bell ice cream at Tom Thumb. As an American of Irish descent, he always gave each of his girls green carnations on St. Patrick’s Day. We will miss him dearly. A Rosary will be held on Monday, 7:00 pm, January 19, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 12521 Inwood Dr., Dallas. Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 10:00 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ursuline Academy Scholarship Fund, 4900 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, in the name of Henry Keating or the charity of your choice.
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