Obituary for James M. Keane
James M. Keane of Canton passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Born July 27, 1932 in Hartford to James L. and Nancy (O’Connell) Keane, he attended Newington High School, where he participated in Theater and Student Government, igniting his interest in politics. After high school, he attended Yale University before enlisting in the Army during the Korean War and proudly served his country while stationed in Alaska. Upon discharge from the Army, Jim attended the University of Hartford, while working at G. Fox in Hartford, where he met his beautiful wife, Nancy Paine. After college he obtained a job at Aetna, where he worked until his retirement.
Jim moved his family to Collinsville in 1961 and was actively involved with town government, most notably, serving as the Democratic Registrar of Voters for decades. He was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church, where he was a lector for many years. After retirement from the Aetna, he volunteered at the Collinsville Historical Museum.
He was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, a wiz at Jeopardy and a fan of pub trivia. He was a smart, humble, funny man with a quick wit and great sense of humor.
James was predeceased by his loving wife Nancy in 1999, his companion Barbara Solosky, his son-in-law James Schrijn, his son Gregory and his daughter-in-law Ann Reid.
He leaves behind his sad and thankful children, son Michael of Philadelphia PA, daughter Theresa Schrijn of Canton, daughter Cynthia and husband Patrick Bracken of Southbridge MA, daughter Mary of Canton, favorite daughter Donna Dombrowski of Collinsville, former daughter-in-law Trisha (Symonds) Keane of England and former son-in-law Mark Carron of MA. His grandchildren, Ryan Miner and his wife Brigitte (Seamans) of Canton, Aubrey (Miner) and her husband Jason Caulfield of England, Julia Keane of Collinsville, Margaret Keane and her fiancé Andrew Jamieson of Collinsville, Alyxxandria Carron, Cole Carron, Damin Carron and Michael Agbortoko all of MA. His great grandchildren, Jayden, Paisley and Kaelyn and his dedicated healthcare aide Dimitri Chaduneli.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 27th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 28th at St. Patrick’s Church, 50 Church Street in Collinsville. Burial with military honors will follow in Village Cemetery in Collinsville. In lieu of flowers, donations in him memory may be made to ALS, 4 Oxford Road, Unit E4, Milford, CT 06460. Please visit Mr. Keane’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Born July 27, 1932 in Hartford to James L. and Nancy (O’Connell) Keane, he attended Newington High School, where he participated in Theater and Student Government, igniting his interest in politics. After high school, he attended Yale University before enlisting in the Army during the Korean War and proudly served his country while stationed in Alaska. Upon discharge from the Army, Jim attended the University of Hartford, while working at G. Fox in Hartford, where he met his beautiful wife, Nancy Paine. After college he obtained a job at Aetna, where he worked until his retirement.
Jim moved his family to Collinsville in 1961 and was actively involved with town government, most notably, serving as the Democratic Registrar of Voters for decades. He was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church, where he was a lector for many years. After retirement from the Aetna, he volunteered at the Collinsville Historical Museum.
He was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, a wiz at Jeopardy and a fan of pub trivia. He was a smart, humble, funny man with a quick wit and great sense of humor.
James was predeceased by his loving wife Nancy in 1999, his companion Barbara Solosky, his son-in-law James Schrijn, his son Gregory and his daughter-in-law Ann Reid.
He leaves behind his sad and thankful children, son Michael of Philadelphia PA, daughter Theresa Schrijn of Canton, daughter Cynthia and husband Patrick Bracken of Southbridge MA, daughter Mary of Canton, favorite daughter Donna Dombrowski of Collinsville, former daughter-in-law Trisha (Symonds) Keane of England and former son-in-law Mark Carron of MA. His grandchildren, Ryan Miner and his wife Brigitte (Seamans) of Canton, Aubrey (Miner) and her husband Jason Caulfield of England, Julia Keane of Collinsville, Margaret Keane and her fiancé Andrew Jamieson of Collinsville, Alyxxandria Carron, Cole Carron, Damin Carron and Michael Agbortoko all of MA. His great grandchildren, Jayden, Paisley and Kaelyn and his dedicated healthcare aide Dimitri Chaduneli.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 27th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 28th at St. Patrick’s Church, 50 Church Street in Collinsville. Burial with military honors will follow in Village Cemetery in Collinsville. In lieu of flowers, donations in him memory may be made to ALS, 4 Oxford Road, Unit E4, Milford, CT 06460. Please visit Mr. Keane’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.