Francis J. ‘Mike’ Keating, 80
Athol: Francis J. ‘Mike’ Keating, 80, of 739 Daniel Shay Highway, Athol, Ma., and former longtime Fitchburg resident, died Thursday(Jan.31) in the Quabbin Valley Healthcare Center, Athol, Ma., after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Lila A. (Hendrickson) Keating;four daughters, Lorrie J. Ricci of Fitchburg, Kathy M. Keating of Fitchburg, Patricia L. Brettschneider, and her husband, Roy, of Fitchburg and Dianne M. Douai, and her husband, Carl, of Keene, N.H.;one sister, Margaret M. Donahue of Fitchburg;10 Grandchildren, 11 Greatgrandchildren and one nephew, Daniel R. Donahue, and his wife, Carol, of Fitchburg. He was predeceased by a son, Daniel Michael Keating of Fitchburg in 2006.
Mr. Keating was an assembler at the former Independent Lock Company in Fitchburg for 10 years and later was the Manager of the former Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant on Water St. in Fitchburg for 15 years and then was employed at the Sampson Rope Company in Shirley, before retiring after six years from the K-Mart Flower Department in 2002 at the age of 74.
He was a member of St. Bernard’s Parish in Fitchburg, and was an avid traveler, enjoying family camping in the summer and cruises. He was a member of the North American Family Campers and the Squaw-no-cook Chapter #30.
He was a veteran of World War II, U.S., Navy, serving as a Seaman First Class in the Pacific Theatre.
He was born in Fitchburg, Ma., on August 7, 1927, a son of the late Daniel and Margaret (McDermott) Keating and lived in Fitchburg for most of his life, before moving to Athol, Ma. six years ago.A Military Funeral will be held on Monday(Feb.4) from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass., at 10:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bernard’s Church, 240 Water St., Fitchburg.
Burial will be in the spring in New Cemetery, Ashburnham, Ma.
Calling hours at the Funeral Home are Sunday(Feb.3) from 1 to 5 p.m.
Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, Ma. 01701 or may be left at the Funeral Home.
See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information.
Source: “Francis J. ‘Mike’ Keating, 80”, http://obit.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net/obitdisplay.html?id=501543, Viewed online 7 April 2009.
I’m curious about the Fitchburg Keatings. One lost branch of my family moved up to Fitchburg in the early 20th century. I’ve often wondered why.