Obituary of Harry L. Keating

KEATING, Harry Lester … 90, Halifax, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 17, 2010 in the Veterans Memorial Building, QEII. He was the eldest child of the late Joseph and Seretha (Marryatt) Keating. He worked for over 40 years at the Halifax Waterfront I.L.A. Local 269 as a Longshoreman. As a boy of 16, in the 1930’s, he worked on the banana boats, lifting armfuls of heavy bananas from ship to truck. In 1946, after five years in the army and the Second World War, Harry joined Logistec where he acted as a foreman for 25 years. Like his father before him, he worked on the docks all of his life. He was a Veteran of the Second World War serving with the St. John Fusiliers. He served in Continental Europe, the United Kingdom and Central Mediterranean area. He was wounded in Coriano Italy and spent three months in a British hospital in Italy. Harry was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Parish since 1927. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Josephine (Brooks); daughter, Della (Brian) Greeno; grandchildren, Julie and Michael, all of Halifax; brothers, Collins (Vera), Claude, all of Harrietsfield; Joseph, Spryfield; sisters, Marie MacPherson, Spryfield; June Morris, Herring Cove; Shirley (John) Dwyer, Williamswood; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son in infancy; brothers, Lloyd and Albert; sisters, Theresa, Blanche, Edith and Dorothy. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family wishes to thank Archbishop Emeritus James Hayes for his many visits. Special thanks go to family members, George-Ann Brooks, Cathy LeBlanc and Virginia Brine for love and support shown to the family during this difficult time. Arrangements are under the care of J. A. Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., 149 Herring Cove Road, Spryfield (477-5601), where visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 20 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, October 21 in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 126 Purcell Cove Road, Fr. Joseph Thomas officiating, Archbishop Emeritus James Hayes as co-celebrant; interment to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville.