Obituary of Michael P. Keating

Born on November, 20th 1936, Michael Patrick Keating passed away June, 2nd, 2023 surrounded by his family. Michael was born in the Bronx, New York the son of William and Anne Keating. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother-in-law Robert (Mary Frances) McAuvic. He is survived by his loving wife Joanie O’Brien, his dear sister Mary Frances McAuvic, and his four devoted children: Moira (Hugh) Wade, Michael (Dawn) Keating, Elizabeth Keating and Terence (Olivia) Keating and their mother, Rosemary Olis Keating, as well as twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Michael graduated Fordham University, served in the U.S. Army at Schofield, Army Base in Oahu, Hawaii and began his career in journalism at the New York Daily News. He and his then-wife, Rosemary moved to Chicago in 1965 where he advanced to broadcast news and landed a job at NBC as a television news producer. Moving forward he worked for numerous news programs and World News Tonight. He moved to national news in 1982 where he became part of the traveling news corps for the 1984 Presidential campaign where he was assigned and worked with many candidates such as Gary Hart and George Bush. He started a new chapter in his life with his wife Ursula Goldschmidt and her son, Christopher. Michael was asked to become Bureau Chief for NBC’s Frankfort, Germany news bureau and decided to retire from network news in 1986.

Michael and his wife relocated to Key West, Florida where they opened a bed and breakfast, The Mermaid and the Alligator. For ten years, they hosted guests from around the world and made dozens of dear friends. Deciding to retire to Merida, Mexico and following a battle with cancer Ursula passed away in 1998 with Michael being her sole caretaker.

In July 1998, he met an elementary school teacher named Joanie O’Brien while taking a Spanish class. A relationship developed over the course of two years and they were married in 2002 making their permanent home in Longmont, Colorado. Together, Michael and Joanie have traveled extensively and spent time with family and many friends. Michael pursued his love of writing and wrote several published articles for the local newspaper. During their 25 years together they would spend their winters in Merida, Mexico where they share their love of the language and the warmness of the people. When not in Mexico, they were very active co-teaching beginning Spanish at

the local Senior Center, serving as dedicated choir members at the Unity Church in Boulder and spending time with Joanie’s sons and grandchildren. Whether it be football games, dance recitals or camping on Joanie’s land in Caribou, Michael was proud to be a “bonus Dad” to Joanie’s three sons, Brian (Dede Duncan) Miller, Blake (Kristina) Miller and Brett (Carrie) Miller and number one fan to Joanie’s eight grandchildren.

When not traveling or attending games or family parties, Michael indulged his love of gardening at the local co-op and a part-time position at the Flower Bin. He also worked at the Boulder County Assessor’s Office.

Michael will best be remembered by his family and friends for his dry wit, humility, loyalty, love of the outdoors and his talent for singing old Irish tunes.