Obituary of WILLIAM JOSEPH Billy Keating

KEATING-WILLIAM JOSEPH Billy Keating of Saint John, husband of the late M. Donnes (Kelly) Keating, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. Billy was born in Chatham, N.B., a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Creighton) Keating. He graduated from St. Thomas College in 1948. He was one of the greatest left-handed pitchers to go through the Chatham Ironmen's organization. He was inducted into the Chatham Sports Wall of Fame in 2006 in recognition of his stellar pitching career with the Ironmen. In 1956 he began his career with N.B. Power as a Stationary Engineer in Chatham and was transferred to Saint John in 1961, retiring in 1992 after 32 years of service. A humble man and proud of his Irish heritage, Billy was a man of integrity, faith, and commitment. His unique and generous heart touched everyone he met. He was predeceased by a brother, John (Barbara) Keating. He is survived by one son, Gary (Catherine Mallette) Keating of Saint John; six daughters, Tammy Whitebone (David), Colleen Keating, Kelly Smith (special friend, Bob Purdy), and Natalie McIntyre (Paul), all of Saint John, Nancy Cameron (Bernard) of Mabou, Cape Breton, and Joanne Keating of Halifax/Toronto; one brother, Bernard (Patsy Redmond) of Chatham; seven sisters, Lillian Barry (Jack), Audrey Cormier (the late Gerald), Marilyn Duffey (Robert), Mary Atkinson, and Bernadette Keating all of Chatham, Joan Arsenault (Derrill) of Bathurst, and Joyce McGrath (Tom) of Antigo, Wisconsin; 14 grandchildren, Vanessa, Chris, Keith, Darren, Aaron, Andrew, Emily, Jeffery, Joey, Josh, Amy, Courtney, Alasdair, and Maili; 5 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Casey, Keenan, Jobe, and Evan ; and several nieces and nephews. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., Saint John, with visiting on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Visiting at Maher's Funeral Home, 35 University Ave., Miramichi, on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael's Basilica on Saturday morning at eleven o'clock. Interment will take place in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Loggieville, N.B. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.