James F. Keating, 82, of Bethlehem, died Tuesday, November 21, 2006 in the VNA of St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born: In Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Frank and Elizabeth Murphy Keating. Personal: He and his wife, the former Frances R. Dugas, were married for 57 years. James was a retired City of Bethlehem police officer. He worked in the patrol division, the detective bureau, and communications. He retired in 1976 as sergeant heading the juvenile aid division. After retirement, James was employed by the ABE Airport police department and the Bethlehem Steel plant patrol. In the mid 1950’s, he was one of the founders of the Bethlehem Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers in the European Theatre during World War II. Memberships: James was a past president of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Bethlehem. Survivors: In addition to his wife, Frances, he is survived by a son, James J. and his wife Betsy of Sarasota, Fla; three daughters, Frances A. Coulter and her husband James, Marybeth Fischer and her husband Thomas, and Sarah Tulio and her husband Michael, all of Bethlehem; two sisters, Elizabeth Keating-Dunn of Philadelphia, and Sister Mary James of Baltimore; six grandchildren, Jamie Ohm, Steven Coulter, Catherine, Stephanie, and Paul Fischer, and Michael P. Tulio; and two great-grandchildren. A son, Patrick, died earlier. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the church. Arrangements are by the Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem. Memorials: May be sent to the VNA of St. Luke’s Hospice, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Published in The Express Times from 11/24/2006 – 11/25/2006.