Joseph P Keating

Keating, Joseph P., 94, of Wyckoff, loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, died peacefully on February 18, 2025. Born in Spring Lake, New Jersey, he grew up in Paterson, where he graduated from St. Joseph High School. He was a radio operator in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the United Nations Service Medal.

Always active in his community, he was a scoutmaster for Troop 35 in Paterson for more than 15 years. During late 1950s, he studied education at Paterson State Teachers College, now William Paterson University in Wayne.

Joe worked as a lather for many years on construction projects in New York City and throughout the metropolitan area such as the Metropolitan Opera House. He later moved to Wyckoff, where he joined the Church of the Nativity in Midland Park and for many years worked as the head of maintenance, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of the Church of the Nativity for more than 50 years, where he sang in the choir, taught CCD, was a Eucharistic minister, and helped run programs for high school students for many years.

Joe is survived by his son, Michael Budinsky and his wife Mary Beth Zeman of Wyckoff, grandchildren Stephen Budinsky and his wife Rachel Goodgal, and Katherine Budinsky and her husband Patrick Corey; his brother Charles Keating and his wife Dee; nieces Laurie Matijakovich and her husband Dave and Kathy Andreano and her husband Jim; his grandnieces and grandnephews, and many devoted friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Bernard Keating, and his nephews Bernard R. Keating and Michael Keating.

In addition to his dedication to his church, Joe loved the outdoors and traveling the United States. For more than two decades, he took cross-country summer camping trips to visit the national parks, during which he hiked the Grand Canyon numerous times. An avid collector of stamps, rocks, and fossils, he also loved gardening and tending to the flower beds he designed at his home. Following his retirement, he took up carving and participated in a weekly carving group at the Midland Park Senior Center where he developed many new friendships. Joe was known for his carved wooden Santa figures which he gave to family and friends every Christmas. He was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees, NASCAR, and Notre Dame football.

Most of all, Joe loved his family and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and stories with his two grandchildren, who were truly the joy of his life. He loved a good party, savoring food, wine (especially champagne), and dessert, and enjoyed celebrating birthdays and special occasions. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe’s name can be made to the Church of the Nativity, 315 Prospect Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432, nativitynj.org or the National Park Foundation, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005, nationalparks.org.

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