Remembering Jeremiah Keating

Consider donating to one of Jerry's favorite institutions. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

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Beloved Brother, Husband, Father, and Friend.

‍Last Thanksgiving we participated in the StoryCorps “The Great Thanksgiving Listening” project by interviewing Grandfather. When we asked him what he most hoped to be remembered for in his life he said, “To be remembered as someone who always helped my family.” Captured on that recording is my immediate response of, “Well done, Dad. Well done. That is EXACTLY how I describe you to others.” It was one of life’s precious few perfect moments. It brought me great peace then and it continues to comfort me through this time of profound loss.

My father lived for his family. I remember fondly the last time he made his way to meet me at the tire shop. He was 80 and at 47, practically speaking, I was old enough to take care of myself. It was cold. He shuffled in slowed by his years but with the same compassionate expression. One that seemed to convey, “What luck Kiddo.” It was a smile that I had seen so many times in my life. It signaled that everything would be just fine. He was there. He just sat with me. To talk. To keep me company. To help. The very thing that my father wished to be remembered for will indeed endure. As with all those he touched with his generosity and helped in his lifetime - his legacy will live on in me through the memories that we shared.
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The “Great Listening” may have been our last interview with Grandfather but it was just the beginning of our commitment to tell and retell his stories to both remember and honor him. We would love for you to join us. Please share your story here.

-Caroline Keating

Margaret Starace

Daughter

Dear Dad,

When you left this world you were still everything you had been to me my entire life. You were and still are a brave man, a teacher, a survivor, a fighter, a loving father, an inspiration, good mannered and grateful, a protector and our rock and kind. You were the first of the our family to show us the way to leave this world for another. As, I watched you I learned and saw the way too. I know we will be together again someday. I dream of you at night and revisit memories and visions of you in my head throughout the day.

Mom is certain that you will return to visit us in the form of an owl. As I was out for a walk one night and heard a western screech owl for the first time in our neighborhood I said “Hello and I love you!" back.

Thank you for raising me and making me feel so special within our family and within the great big world. As silly as it may seem, the nickname you gave me was a superpower for me. The fact that you called me Tigger made me feel understood and seen for who I was, "Boisterous and exuberant, Tigger is wonderful and one-of-a-kind. He eagerly shares his enthusiasm with others—whether they want him to or not.”

You are dearly missed dad. I hope you are at peace and happy where you are now and know that you live on in our hearts.

Love always and forever,
Maggie.

Alice White

Daughter
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My dad had more grit than any person I have ever met. He was legendary. The stuff of vikings and pirates and cowboys and executives. He was brave and tough and true. He loved us. When we were happy it made him happy. I miss you Dad. I am so grateful for the time we had together. I still feel your presence and your legacy even though you are no longer here. XXOO

Terrance P. Kelley

CEO Ocean Walker LLC.

Jerry and I worked together at Jet Aviation. My comments are below. I considered Jeremiah one of my closet work friends ever. His assistance when I came to Jet Aviation was immeasurable and I never forgot his sage advice during our tenure at the company. An honest man in business and life and one you could always trust for sound advice and doing the right thing for family, friends, and business colleagues.

Many memorable experiences, but one that scared us was when Jerry was in my office at the Teterboro airport in New Jersey one morning and I noticed his speech was a bit slurred. I asked if he was OK and he barked “I’m just fine!”. I asked another executive to come in and for his thoughts regarding our Captain…he said trouble and we immediately sent Jerry to the hospital as the man was having a stroke…I remember him saying to me as he was going out the door…”I wouldn’t be going if you weren’t making me!”. We contacted his loving wife Mary and she flew from Tampa immediately. Thank goodness his recovery was successful, but still a frightful experience for all of us.

My wife Soon Hee and I send warm thoughts to Mary, Jeremiah’s family, and friends. You, and us, had the good fortune to be blessed with a very great man!

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Jeremiah Keating

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