John J. Keating

WORCESTER: John Joseph Keating, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Affectionately called UJ by his 27 nieces and nephews, and 'Shorty ' by his many friends, John was foremost a beloved brother, born the sixth of seven siblings who doted over him as he entered the family prematurely, weighing just 4lbs.8 oz. A hard-worker in everything he did, after graduating from St. Peter-Marian High School, John went on to hold several jobs over the years, ranging from landscaping to auto-parts delivery, where he made fast friends everywhere he went with his outgoing personality and sense of humor. Small in stature but big in heart, one of John's greatest attributes was his generosity and willingness to help out anyone in need. He would happily invite just about any acquaintance to dinner, either cooked by himself, or "my treat" at one of his favorite local eateries.

Besides passing the collections basket at weekly Mass, John also enjoyed his time volunteering at the Central Mass Striders weekly 5k. Among his many joys in life were watching airplanes, admiring nice cars, relaxing with family at the beach, blasting music while driving, and every New England sports team, but especially the Bruins. While John was a lover of all dogs, he held a special place in his fun-loving heart for Scooby Doo.

John was predeceased by his father, Thomas F. Keating. He leaves his beloved mother, Veronica (Shattuck) Keating, to whom he was completely devoted, his brothers, Thomas F. Keating and his wife Maureen, Michael J. Keating and Patrick T. Keating and his wife Lynn; his sisters, Carolyn A. Gemme and her husband William, Patricia A. Clark and her husband John, Nancy A. Clark and her husband Richard, 27 nieces and nephews and 51 great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff at Knollwood Nursing Center for their extraordinary patience and compassion during John's final months. Also, the family would like to thank the JCC hospice team for their gracious attention to John's comfort in his last days.

John’s Funeral will be held on Friday, December 12, from Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, December 11, from 4 until 6PM in the funeral home. Memorial contributions in John's memory can be made to: Our Lady of the Angels Parish, 1222 Main St. Worcester, MA, 01603. Online condolences may be placed at www.callahanfay.com