J. Keating Obituary

J. Michael Keating Jr., 84, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on June 18, 2023, at the Warner Center, Community Hospice, in Fernandina Beach, Fla. Michael was born in Passaic, N.J., on Feb. 10, 1939, to the predeceased Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Margaret Shepherdson Keating. His predeceased siblings were John E. Keating, Margaret Chisholm, Kathleen Flink and Philip Keating. Michael was married to Catherine Judith McCrane on Jan. 7, 1967, and at the time of her death, they had been married for 47 years.  
Michael graduated from College of the Holy Cross, Mass., with a degree in Political Science. He went on to study theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary for one year.  After a change of heart, he attended New York University and received his Master's degree in history. He then joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. As a Captain, his focus was in Military Intelligence in Korea and Japan. In 1967, he was stationed in Japan, where he and Catherine enjoyed what they always referred to as their three-year honeymoon. At the end of his service, the two returned to the U.S., and he received his law degree from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C. Michael became interested in arbitration and mediation. He
then started his own practice in Rhode Island and became the Special Master of the prison systems in the U.S. until his retirement in 2006. He and Catherine raised their children in Rhode Island on the Narragansett Bay. He served as the president of Save the Bay for three years and enjoyed life in Riverside, R.I., until they retired to Fernandina Beach in 2005, where they spent the remainder of their lives.  
Michael is survived by his daughter, Catherine, and her husband, Rob Frazier; and his son, Michael F. Keating and his wife, Songmi; along with their children, Mika and Jaemi Keating. He has one surviving first cousin, Anne Morin, and her daughter, Nico Wind Cordova, both residents of Oregon, who loved and deeply respected Michael. They will miss their long conversations and deep connection with him and his family. Michael is also survived by one of his oldest and dearest friends, Julia Aneshansley, considered a member of the family, who knows that Julia will raise a glass for her friend, Michael!
Michael will be remembered as a charismatic, highly intelligent, fun-loving, generous, warm and witty person. He had a healthy sense of humor, and his laughter was a memorable aspect of his personality. He encouraged and enjoyed a vigorous debate or discussion about almost any subject. A history buff who read voraciously, Michael was known for giving "mini history lessons" about whatever he was reading at the time. His work as a docent at Amelia Island Museum of History in Fernandina Beach, outlining the fascinating history of the places and people of the area, was greatly appreciated by fellow residents and the many tourists to the area.
Michael enjoyed concerts, visiting museums and spending long hours in local bookstores. Known for having collected prodigious collections of classical music and opera, Michael's favorite opera singer was the incomparable, legendary Luciano Pavarotti. Other passions included gardening; he enjoyed creating remarkable backyards in Rhode Island and Fernandina Beach with some of his favorite flowers, especially geraniums. Michael's other passion was pétanque; he loved the game, whether he was playing or watching. It enriched his life in his later years and he truly enjoyed the community of Amelia Island Boules Club. Michael was an enthusiastic cheerleader for daughter-in-law, Songmi, celebrating her pétanque championships through the years.   
During his retirement, Michael's most beloved place was on the beach at Fernandina, where he enjoyed walking along the coast of the great Atlantic, watching the seasons change. The patriarch of his family, Michael is and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Micah's Place at www.micahsplace.kindful.com or Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
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Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors