Gerald J. Keane
January 12, 1931 - October 02, 2006
Gerald J. Keane age 75 of Jessie Avenue, South Attleboro died Monday, October 2, 2006 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was married on March 31, 1951 to his beloved wife of 55 years Dorothy E. (King) Keane. He was born in Central Falls, RI on January 12,1931 a son of the late John J. and Margaret M. (McKenna) Keane.
He moved with his family to Jessie Avenue in South Attleboro in 1942 and he attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Central Falls. He graduated from St. Raphael Academy in 1948 where he was a member of the band, playing the saxophone. He then attended Bryant College and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gerontology in 2004.
Mr. Keane worked at Cumberland Engineering for 21 years starting as a draftsman and ending as a Vice President of Purchasing in 1978. Mr. Keane entered politics in 1962 as a councilman in Attleboro a position he held for 16 years. In 1978 Mr. Keane became Attleboro's 13th Mayor, a position he held until 1984. In 1984 he became President of the Greater Attleboro Chamber of Commerce until his retirement in 1998. During his tenure at the Chamber, he established Attleboro Person of the Year, Teacher of the Year, GATRA, Attleboro Center for Training, Downtown Attleboro Associates, Wednesday Night Family Market and spear-headed the construction of the Government Center and the Attleboro Parking garage. He served on the Board of Directors for American Red Cross, United Way of Attleboro, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Attleboro Area Center for Training, Regional Employment Board, Downtown Attleboro Associates and Southeastern Massachusetts Manufacturing Partnership, Friends of Capron Park, Board of Trustees for the Attleboro Public Library, FAIR and Bristol County Bank to name a few. After Retirement Mr. Keane was an Associate Funeral Director for the Foley-Cook-Hathaway Funeral Homes in Attleboro until the time of his death. He was very active in St. Theresa's Catholic Church where he taught CCD and was a Cub Scout Master, President of the Holy Name Society, President of St. Vincent DePaul Society and one of the first recipients of the Marion Award given by Bishop Connolly. Mr. Keane was a man of upright character whose deep interest in public service has endeared him to all.
Besides his wife he leaves five sons Gerald J. Keane,Jr. of Exeter, RI, Michael K. Keane of South Attleboro, David H. Keane of Riverside RI, James J. Keane of North Attleboro and John F. Keane of Attleboro. Two daughters Tricia A. Keane of Dighton,MA and Kathleen K. Conner of Golden, CO. Three brothers, John B. Keane, Vincent H. Keane and Francis E. Keane all of South Attleboro. One sister Eileen (Keane) Kimbrough of Lititz, PA. Seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Mary M. (Keane) Holmes formerly of South Attleboro.
Funeral Information
His Funeral will be held on SATURDAY at 8:30 AM from THE FOLEY-HATHAWAY FUNERAL HOME, 126 South Main St. (Route 152) in Attleboro. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM in St. Theresa's Church, Washington and Baltic Street, South Attleboro. Burial will follow in the family lot in the Newell Burying Ground, West Street, South Attleboro. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling hours FRIDAY in THE FOLEY-HATHAWAY FUNERAL HOME from 3 to 8 PM.