Cornelius F. Keating

Cornelius F Keating

Cornelius F Keating, a longtime resident of New Canaan, died peacefully on Dec 22 at the age of 87, after a short illness

He is survived by his children, Cecily, of New York City, Gregory, of San Marino, Calif, Christopher, of New Canaan, David, of New Britain, and Elisabeth of Seattle, Wash, and by his grandchildren Lindsay, Morgan and Emily

He married the late Elizabeth Ball, originally of Boston, Mass, in 1951; the marriage ended in 1978

He was born on Aug 3, 1925, in Boston, Mass, the son of Cornelius F and Mary (Grey) Keating He graduated from Boston Latin School, Harvard College, Class of 1946 (graduating in 1947), and Harvard Law School, 1950 During World War II he served as a lieutenant, and the commander of a Landing Craft, in the United States Navy in the Pacic

After graduation from law school, he moved to New York City to begin the practice of law In 1955, he joined the law department of Columbia Records; in 1958 he became general manager of the Columbia Record Club, later known as Columbia House Over the succeeding decades, he built the Club into the world's pre-eminent direct marketer of music and video

Mr Keating was a leader in the direct marketing industry, serving as chairman of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and numerous other industry groups In 1972 he received the Miles Kimball Award honoring his industry leadership; in 1975 he was named Direct Marketer of the Year by New York's Direct Marketing Day He was inducted into the DMA Hall of Fame in 1994 Mr Keating retired as the chairman of Columbia House in 1993

Among his numerous charitable activities, Mr Keating was a longtime trustee of the Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families (now known as the Harlem Children's Zone), and the recipient of its Friend of the Children Award in 1989 He was a member of the board of the American Theater Wing, and a member of the board of the Wilson's Disease Foundation

He was a passionate and dedicated member of the board of the New Canaan Historical Society His interest in the history of New Canaan and the preservation of that history extended to his own property; his house, the oldest part of which dates to 1786, has recently been listed on the National Register of Historic Places

A man of wide interests and great curiosity, he was a frequent visitor to, and supporter of, the New York City Ballet, the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera His love of art led him to most of the major museums in the United States and Western Europe He was an accomplished skier who loved Colorado, particularly Aspen, which he visited beginning in 1967, when he attended the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies

He also loved to explore Europe, particularly Paris and the wine regions Among his lifelong interests were fine food and wine, and his knowledge and appreciation of them led him to friendships with some of the top chefs and restaurateurs of the world He was a member of the Chevaliers du Tastevin and Commanderie de Bordeaux, and was enormously generous in sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with his many friends and family

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced