George Emery Keating

George Emery Keating, 79, passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital July 13 surrounded by his family following a sudden illness.



The Saugus, Massachusetts native graduated from Saugus High School and joined the U.S. Marines. He then transferred to the U.S. Navy, where he served first as an MP and later as a radarman while traveling the world. His ports of call included the Antarctic and South Pole, Cuba, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand while serving on the USS Marshall. A superior officer, noting his great attention to detail and penchant for all things binary, urged him to volunteer for the newest navy occupation ' computer science ' and a lifelong career and passion was ignited.



He was expert in many programming languages and his career spanned main frames to PCs, including keypunch cards and peg boards.



He met the love of his life, Barbara, while playing with a band in Boston, Massachusetts soon after she arrived from Ireland. Over the course of his musical career he played the pedal steel guitar, drums and acoustic guitar.



He served in Vietnam aboard the USS Coral Sea and then transferred to Naval Training Center Orlando Hospital, where he managed the hospital's computer system, retiring in 1975. During his career he earned numerous service awards including Marksman, National Defense service medal, Republic Vietnam Campaign medal, Good Conduct, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Navy Unit Commendation.



George then entered the next phase of his life ' Student. Starting at Rollins College he was a member of the last graduating class from Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida) with a degree in Psychology.



George then returned to government work, first at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 'Savannah District, then Defense Investigative Services of the DOD in Baltimore and finally as programmer/analyst for Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield, where he retired.



After retirement George gave freely to his community finding an outlet for his incredible generosity, including volunteering with the Better Business Bureau, Senior Citizens, Inc., Georgia Radio Reading, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), an Equal Opportunity Employment mediator, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Savannah Outpatient Clinic, Zerubbabel Masonic Lodge, Alee Shrine Temple and Flag Unit. He was a drummer with the Crabettes for many years.



George also loved sports, participating in organized tennis, bowling, softball, golf leagues/tournaments where he won many trophies for both team and individual play. He also enjoyed fishing, ice skating and handball. He of course loved all sports tied to his hometown and was an avid Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan.



He was preceded in death by his parents William L. and Evelyn Roche Keating, brothers William Jr. and Robert, sister Beverly Southwick and wife Barbara Roche Keating. He is survived by daughter Kelly Ann Lescallette and husband William, two sisters, Edith Jean Hallin of Missouri and Barbara Edgar and husband, Bud of Pawley\'s Island, South Carolina, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in the United States, Ireland and Australia.



The family would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the staff of St. Joseph's Emergency Room and Neuro ICU for the extreme compassion and care shown to George while under their care. At each step of the way they went above and beyond to ensure that everyone's needs were met as if it was their own father. Their understanding and grace were deeply appreciated during such an upsetting experience.



In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in George's name to the Alzheimer's Association ' Georgia Chapter, Coastal Georgia Regional Office, 201 Television Circle, Savannah, GA 31406.