Edward Joseph Keating passed away at his home in Richmond, Virginia, on June 4, 2023. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Born in Ottawa, Illinois, on December 8, 1948 to James Edward and Mildred Eileen (nee Marten) Keating, Ed was the last of three sons born to his parents. Even after the untimely death of his brother, Patrick Hale Keating, he and his oldest brother, James Franklin Keating thought of themselves and Pat as “The Three Amigos.”
With his gentle, playful spirit and unflagging kindness and generosity, Ed was a hero to his children and a light to everyone whose life he touched.
Ed spent most of his career as a programmer for Dominion Energy. What meant most to him about that work were the friendships he formed, especially with Joyce Parkey and Victoria Alexander, who became his lifelong friends.
Ed had a gift for creating beautiful things and nurturing those lucky enough to be in his life. He was an accomplished trombonist, playing with the award-winning Ottawa Township High School Band under Raymond McKeever and with the marching and concert bands at the University of Illinois. He sang in the choir of St. Giles Presbyterian Church, composed music and wrote plays. His work “Job’s Unbridled Faith,” a cantata of song and narration, was performed by a choir of nearly 50 voices and an 18-piece orchestra in 2013. Ed was always creating for his children, from a paper mache R2-D2 Halloween costume to a backyard jungle gym with zipline. And he spent his last years building with and for his beloved grandson, Luke, even converting his bedroom into a huge model train platform. Playing with Luke was the joy of Ed’s later life.
Family members remembering Ed include his three children, Thomas Edward, Katherine Anne, and Laura Jacqueline; his brother, James Franklin; his nieces, Dawn Marie Hinton and Darcy Hoffman; his stepgrandchildren, Margaret Ocoro, Andrew Vargas, Nicholas Ocoro and Jacob Vargas; and his grandson, Luke Alexander.
Ed’s family will hold a private memorial service.
Ed was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Faith at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, IL.
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