William T. Keating, Sr.
William Thomas Keating, Sr., 88, of Hamden, passed away peacefully at the Hospital of St. Raphael on October 6, 2017. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Judith Ford Keating. He was born in New Haven on February 9, 1929 to the late James and Mary Kiley Keating. In 1945, Bill and his brother, Jim, started Keating Brothers Motors Inc. in New Haven. The business was moved to Hamden in 1968 where its success continues today. Bill ran the dealership and worked every day for 72 years; working until the day before he passed away. Bill will be remembered as a devoted and dedicated father by his children, Marybeth H. Keating of Hamden, Claire (Bruce) Keating Rich of Hamden, Judy “Ellie” (James) Killoy of Madison, and William T. (Melissa) Keating, Jr. of Cheshire; loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Nolan and Ellen Rich, Molly and Brendan Killoy, John William ('J.W.') and Liam Keating; caring brother-in-law to his sisters-in-law, Katherine C. Ford and Loretta Keating. He was predeceased by his siblings, John B. Keating, Mary Keating Collins, James E. Keating, and Kathleen I. Keating. He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity by his many friends and customers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 14th at 10 am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church followed by burial in Centerville Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with his family on Friday, October 13th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Donohue for the exceptional care he provided to their father. Donations may be made to Yale-New Haven Hospital attn: Lucy Sirico, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508. Donations will be restricted for medical education at YNNH St. Raphael Campus at Dr. Donohue’s discretion.
Dear Keating family, Your Dad was a very thoughtful and sweet man he will be missed dearly, You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Joni & Joe Brady Gallagher
Dear Mary Beth and Keating Family, I loved and look up to your dad as a DAD to me. I will miss him dearly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Marybeth if you need anything please to not hesitate to call me. Love, Elissa Nevola
Dear Marybeth and Family, Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dad. A true gentleman and a honest businessman. He will definitely be missed by many. May all your beautiful memories be held close to your heart. Ernie and Maureen Leonardo
Dear Marybeth and the entire Keating family: Your dad was a true gentleman and a great businessman! He took such good care of me when my husband passed away almost 7 years ago and I needed to find a mechanic!! I bought 3 cars from your dad and he stood behind each one!! I think what impressed me the most was that he got dressed in a tie and jacket every single day and went to work!! That business kept him young!! He will be truly missed!
It is with great sadness that we learn of Bill’s passing. He was a wonderful man. Our families have so many fond memories of him. Always kind, considerate and such a pleasure to know. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your dad. He will be truly missed by so many.
MaryBeth, Claire and family…. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was such a nice man.
Marybeth……we are so very sorry for the loss of your dad! He was the kindest man, and just the best! My mom and dad are saddened by his passing too! They don’t make them like they used to….you and I would talk about that sometimes when I would see you. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless. Lia Esposito Sabin, Gabriella and Michael Esposito
My condolences to the Keating family
My sincere condolences on Bill’s passing. He was a man of his word who always stood behind the cars he sold and serviced. He will be missed.
A gentleman in every sense of the word. Bill was an astute businessman and a quality human being. I never met a man more dedicated to his family and his business then Bill Keating. Condolences to his entire family.
Bill was the definition of .Class.. Enjoyed doing business with him over many years. Condolences to the entire family.
Judy, Jim, Molly and Brandon Killoy ~ Our deepest sympathy goes out to you as you mourn the loss of your Dad (grandfather). We are very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers that the days ahead are filled with love from family and friends as you share in the memories of his life. Our thoughts are with you ((Hugs)) Love, Janice and Brian Paul & Family
My deepest sympathies to the Keating family. My husband and I have been customers of Mr. Keating since the early 90’s. I will always remember him as being one of the kindest and classiest people I know. Business-wise, Mr. Keating was the epitome of trustworthiness and honesty. He was truly one of a kind.
My heart is broken… Sending prayer support to family, friends, employees and all those who loved and will miss Bill.
Our condolences to Marybeth and the entire family. Mr. Keating knew what it meant to be part of the community and served it well for many years. He will be missed for sure. We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers. Patrick and Cindy Ryan
Our condolences to the family. Mr. Keating was a man of traditional values and morals. Kind to all and generous to a fault. One would be hard pressed to follow in his foot steps. He has very big shoes to fill. It has been a pleasure and an honor to know him. He will be missed by so many. He recently told me how fortunate he was to have a place to go every day to keep busy and be surrounded by his family. May he rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss he will be greatly missed.
Thank you, Mr. Keating, for all that you have done for my family and myself. My first, third and fifth car came from you. I drove the first two into the dirt and the last one has seen me safely west into Colorado. It was a hell of a ride. Thank you for everything, especially your smile which I will always remember. All my love and blessings are with you and yours. Enjoy that sweet ride in the sky.
Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Love, Beth Panuzio
Bill was on of the nicest men I have ever come in contact with. He always greeted me with friendly hello and a smile whenever we met (even if he did not remember who I was exactly). When I would drop off payments on my house account he would make me feel so special by shaking my hand and thanking me for stopping by like I was the most important person in his day. I alway left feeling better about myself with his words of encouragement. My condolences to the family. The world lost one of the good ones!
To Judy and all the Keatings; my sincere condolences on the passing of your father. What a life, well lived!
Dear Marybeth, Claire, and Family, My deepest sympathy to you on the passing of your dear Father. He was such a gentleman, who always exhibited the most handsome smile. He was an inspiration to everyone. Your parents were wonderful people, and it was an honor to know them. They are together again in paradise. What a legacy your parents left to your family. God bless the Keating Family.
Judy so sorry for the loss of your Father. I went to school with you at St.Rita’s. My nickname is Sibby.
I am sorry for your loss. My prayers to the entire Keating Family. Peace be with you. I lived in Hamden my entire childhood. Most of it at 2611. Prior to the station buying the corner lot.
My condolences to the Keating Family.