WOODBURY- Mr. Robert P. Keating, 80, husband of 58 years to Louise (Macfarlane) Keating, peacefully passed away on Sunday September 19, 2010 at his home.
Robert was born February 10, 1930 in Waterbury, son of the late Charles F. and Maude C. (Moody) Keating. His early years were spent at Roosevelt and Bunker Hill Schools and he was a newspaper carrier for the Waterbury Republican. After a brief move to Indianapolis, IN, he returned to graduate from Crosby High School, excelling in swimming and track. Robert served three enlistments in the U.S. Naval Reserves Security Division in New York City. He studied engineering at the University of Bridgeport and later earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he met and married his wife, Louise. Robert worked for several area architectural firms including Joseph Stein where he was in charge of Silas Bronson Library design in Waterbury. In 1961, he opened his own business and continued to his career designing many commercial and residential buildings in the Woodbury area including Sherman Village, Middle Quarter Mall, Pilgrims Mall, West Chevrolet and Woodbury Telephone Company. He was a member of AIA and CT Society of Architects.
He was most proud of his community service in Woodbury serving as Chairman of the Planning Commission and Board member of Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Association as well as an active 45 year member of the Woodbury Lions Club, participating in all the club fundraisers including the annual Antiques Car Show, Haunted Hayride and organized the Mel Snyder Fishing Derby. He was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship award. His design of Hollow Park Pavilions and North Green Bandstand will be a reminder to all of his dedication to the Town.
Robert was a communicant of St. Teresa of Avila for over 50 years, donating many hours of service redesigning the altar and later the rectory renovation. His greatest contribution was his design for an addition to the church. He was a member of St. Teresa's Mens Club and received the Christian Neighbor Award for his community service.
His hobbies included model ship building, reminding him of his summer sailing trip to Maine, jigsaw puzzles and genealogy. One of his fondest memories was a trip he took with his wife to visit Ireland. Robert was proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed sharing a joke or story with his fellow lunch buddies at the Charcoal Chef or Constantine's Restaurant. He was an active tennis player until his illness, an avid fan of the NY Yankees and UCONN men's and women's basketball.
Robert is survived by his son, Robert Keating, Jr. and Rita Valley of Bridgewater, two daughters, Susan Grudzien and her husband Edward, Sarah Baywood and her husband Jeffrey, all of Woodbury and four grandchildren, Charles Baywood, Gina Grudzien, Erik Grudzien of Woodbury and Lisa Dayton and her husband, Ryan of Watertown and several cousins.
The family would like to thank VNA Northwest Hospice for their care and compassion for Robert.

Memorials: Contributions may be made to the Woodbury Lions Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 314 Woodbury, CT 06798.

Cemetery: New North Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: St. Teresa's Church

Services: A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 23rd at St. Teresa of Avila, Woodbury at 11 a.m.

Visitation: Friends may call the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St. on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.