• Raymond Keating

Raymond F. Keating passed from this Earth June 12, 2020. He lived a full and loving life of 97 years. Born in Meriden, Conn., on January 4, 1923, he left to join the U.S. Navy in 1942, shortly after the outbreak of World War II. His Navy adventures took him across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with memorable posts from Algeria and Morocco to the Philippine Islands; Casco Bay, Maine; Key West, Fla.; and finally to Tokyo Bay at the Japanese surrender, ending the conflict.

Ray returned home in 1946 and to his job at the Miller Johnson company, where he worked as a printer for 35 years. He met Helen Frances Bride, and they were married on May 1, 1948. Helen predeceased Ray on April 4, 2015, ending a loving and nourishing 67-year union. Their mutual Catholic faith was a consistent and lifelong feature of their relationship, first at St. Rose parish in Meriden and later at St. Augustine’s in Montpelier.

They raised six children who survive them: Tim and wife Valerie of Los Angeles, Calif.; Peter and wife Kathleen of Burlington, Vt.; Kevin and late wife Carrie of Peoria, Ariz.; Nancy and husband Kevin of Ridgecrest Calif.; Paul and partner Jennifer of Montpelier, Vt.; and Tom of South Berwick, Maine. Ray also leaves nine grandchildren: Brendan of Burlington, Vt.; Maeve and husband Mik of Burlington, Vt.; Alyssa and partner Wesley of South Portland, Maine; Myles of Portland, Ore.; Devlin of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Bennett of Los Angeles, Calif.; Owen of Burlington, Vt.; Davis of Juneau, Alaska; and Liam of South Berwick, Maine. All of them seemed to inherit his entertaining wit and prankster-like sense of humor. Ray was expressively grateful, perpetually content and happiest when surrounded by his large, loving family.

Ray and Helen retired to Montpelier in 1985. They loved their retirement years in Vermont, often volunteering at the Montpelier library, food pantry and Knights of Columbus bingo in Barre, where Ray had a longtime presence. Ray spent his last nine years at Heaton Woods in Montpelier under the loving care and dedication of their remarkable staff.

The family would especially like to express their heartfelt thanks to Darcy Warner, who was a caregiver to both Helen and Ray for many years, and to the kind staff at Heaton Woods.

In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Ray with a donation to the Montpelier Food Pantry at 137 Main St., Montpelier, VT 05602, or to your local food shelf resource.