James R. Keaton Jr.

James Russell Keaton Jr., of Plymouth, was born August 27, 1944, the son of the late James and Susan (Luinis) Keaton. He grew up in South Boston on Silver Street and Thomas Park, and was very proud of where he came from. He had many stories of the old neighborhood of his youth including shoe shining, bringing stray cats home, playing with the neighborhood kids, and taking the trolley to Franklin Park for a nickel. For the longest time, he would drive back to South Boston from Plymouth for his favorite barbershop. He came from a Lithuanian family and spent a lot of time with them in the different social clubs in the area, and was able to speak the language. He fondly recalled the bar-style pizzas and playing pool and darts.
James attended South Boston High School where he played football and wanted to join the Navy. His favorite subject was history. He liked to fix up old cars and worked as an apprentice auto mechanic. After graduation, he instead joined the Army, which he always looked back on as some of the best times in his life. He enjoyed seeing the country going to the different bases and getting into the best shape of his life. One of his biggest obstacles was climbing the monkey bars, which he finally did and everyone cheered him on. He had wanted to drive the Army trucks, but instead got assigned to be a cook, a skill he took with him the rest of his life. He learned how to make all kinds of foods for large groups. He was in the Army Reserve for many years. He held a variety of jobs in his younger days including at a factory making Christmas bulbs, a security guard for Brink's and a Hackney Carriage driver.
James then became employed by the MBTA, his main job in life, holding many positions including streetcar driver, inspector, motorman and starter. He was primarily stationed on the Red Line. He took an early retirement from the T but then continued his career in transit as a bus driver for Plymouth & Brockton Bus Company. He always said it wasn't easy to drive a bus, but he had a perfect driving record on his trips from the Cape to Boston and back again, as well as the local GATRA link. After leaving P&B, he spent his later days as as school crossing guard at Hedge Elementary and meter officer for the Town of Plymouth. He liked the slower pace of this part-time job but still wanted to maintain a work schedule so he would have a daily routine.
James made his home on the South Shore and raised his family there, first in Brockton, and then Plymouth. One of his greatest accomplishments in life was being a homeowner. He bought several homes over the course of his life and took pride in maintaining them inside and out. He was a true Mr. Fix It and was skilled in all manners of home repairs and improvements, which he taught himself from reading Do It Yourself books. It made him feel very good when he could look back on a project he completed by himself. He also loved taking care of his yard and was known for planting trees and shrubs, which he enjoyed seeing bloom through the seasons, as well as planting a vegetable garden every year, one of his favorites being tomatoes. It bothered him a lot if he ever saw trees being cut down in his community. You could always find him inspecting his property to see what he could add or fix next, as he couldn't stand anything being broken or looking shabby. He enjoyed sitting on the porch, with the occasional cigar, getting some sun and listening to the birds chirping from the bird houses and feeders he put around the yard. Every summer he grilled hamburgers and hot dogs out on the BBQ, and at Christmastime was known for his outdoor lights and vintage decorations. For St. Patrick's Day, he always made corned beef and cabbage and baked his own Irish soda bread. One of his favorite recipes to make was a traditional cabbage soup, sometimes adding fresh kielbasa, which he learned from his grandmother. He enjoyed all the different foods from the Old World, especially rye bread, herring in wine sauce, pickled beets and farmers cheese, and always tried to find them in the market. His drink of choice was Moxie.
Besides being at home and in his yard, James loved to go to the beach and be by the ocean. He collected pictures and other decorations featuring seascapes, lighthouses and boats. In fact, his high school yearbook quote was "Down to the sea in ships". He particularly liked visiting coastal New England towns, one of his favorites being Rockport, Massachusetts. He appreciated how the town's character strongly reflected an ocean theme, always pointing out the Peg Leg Inn when he drove through. His favorite meal was always a Fisherman's Platter, preferably dining on the water.
You could also always find James looking for bargains at some of his favorite stores over the years including Rich's, Benny's, Building #19 and Ocean State Job Lot. He also liked the Mill Stores, buying unfinished wood furniture that he would stain or paint himself. Another hobby of sorts was buying cars. He loved seeing the new cars and new features, and always could make a good deal. He said you have to know how to talk to people and wheel and deal when buying a car. He always took great pride in his car and liked to add his own special touches. He was an excellent driver, and he never got into an accident, always saying you have to be a defensive driver.
James was an animal lover and had a dog by his side for almost his whole life, and considered them to be his best friends. He particularly liked Boxers and for a time, bred Boxer puppies. For many years he also enjoyed keeping an aquarium of tropical fish at home, especially neon tetras. James was also a sports lover and passionately followed the Red Sox and Patriots especially. He also enjoyed traveling and taking road trips and cruises. One of his favorite trips was a bus tour of California and he especially liked getting to visit San Francisco. Almost every summer, he drove his family down to Florida where he liked to see what was new at the theme parks in Orlando. Another special memory was taking a detour to visit Graceland and Tupelo, Mississippi to see the childhood home of Elvis Presley. James was a huge Elvis fan and collected all kinds of Elvis memorabilia and records. He also enjoyed singing himself and always said he should have become a singer. In his later years he redeveloped a love for the band Queen, after seeing the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, which he rewatched over and over, along with the new Elvis movie. James was also a fan of David Bowie, Elton John, and many other classic rock artists and bands, and he appreciated great vocalists.
James also loved to read. He would read multiple newspapers every day, his favorite being The Patriot Ledger, but also the Old Colony Memorial and occasionally the Boston Herald. He always picked up the free newspapers, as well as pamphlets and brochures, everywhere he went for something to read. His favorite magazine was Consumer Reports, and he would never buy a car without first consulting its Car Guide. He enjoyed reading Stephen King, Peter Benchley and Michael Crichton, as well as Boston crime stories.
James was a big movie lover, his favorite genre being horror, but also gangster and mafia movies, and Westerns. One of his favorite movies was King Kong, as well as A Christmas Carol for the holiday season. One of his favorite actors of late was Leonardo DiCaprio, and he was always looking forward to his next movie coming out. He also loved The Three Stooges and Cheyenne. During the days of VHS, James would record movies off of cable TV in his free time and made a large collection of video tapes. He also for many years would make home videos with his VHS camcorder, which became a staple at family gatherings, holidays and vacations. He always got his family to smile and laugh by singing, telling jokes and whistling. In many photos, he would give his family bunny ears. James never learned to use a computer, always referring to himself as a dinosaur, although in his later years you could find him on his smartphone reading the news and listening to music.
James believed laughter was the best medicine. It no doubt helped him in his years-long battle with prostate cancer.
James is survived by his wife Diane (Parkas) Keaton of 37 years, and his children Michele Esposito of Indian Shores, Florida, James Keaton of Plymouth, Jennifer Keaton of Wareham, Jeffrey Keaton and his wife Lilonni of Plymouth, Stephen Keaton of Carver, Alexandra Keaton and her boyfriend Dylan Putney of Carver, and Aaron Keaton of Plymouth. He is also survived by his sister Janet Keaton of Bourne and his brother Don Keaton and his wife Joyce of Bourne, as well as by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved Boston Terrier, Molly, and cat Phoebe.
Above all, James loved his family. He was a great provider, and was always there to talk to them or give advice. He was a compassionate, gentle, easy-going, and smart man, and he truly lived a rich, full life. His bright blue eyes, youthful appearance, big smile and hearty laugh will never be forgotten. He was one of a kind. He will always be remembered as a wonderful brother, husband and father.
Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.