February 10, 2021

Deacon George Keator dies at 85; served parishes in Lenox, Lenox Dale and West Stockbridge

REGIONAL
Staff report

LENOX — Deacon George Keator, 85, died on Feb. 1. He was a longtime deacon in Lenox, Lenox Dale and West Stockbridge.

He was born Dec. 29, 1935, the son of Frederick and Josephine O’Donnell Keator, in Cornwall, N.Y. He grew up in Walden, N.Y., and was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., in 1957. He joined the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of captain.

He married his wife, Sheila, in 1961. He moved his family to Lenox in 1967 and established a small printing shop and newspaper.

He completed a master’s degree in theology at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and in 1993 was ordained a permanent deacon for the Springfield Diocese by Springfield Bishop John Marshall. He was the first permanent deacon assigned to St. Ann Parish in Lenox, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Lenox Dale, and St. Patrick Parish in West Stockbridge.

Deacon Keator’s family held a private funeral on Saturday, Feb. 6. Condolences may be sent to the family at 218 Main St, Lenox, MA 01240.