Students Benefit from Bequest of St. Joseph School Alum

Mark Keating was a quiet, reserved man. He lived in Bristol most of his life. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Church and frequently walked to mass. He was also a St. Joseph School alumnus.

When Mark passed away, he left a bequest to the Main Street Community Foundation to establish a scholarship fund for students of the more than a century-old old parochial school.

Mark’s many ties to Bristol originated with his maternal grandparents, James and Mary Monaghan. James emigrated from Scotland and owned a successful Bristol grocery store. James also worked hard to ensure that his children could go to college or obtain a professional degree. This included Mark’s mother, Tace Monaghan-Keating, who was graduated from the Hartt College of Music and taught piano in Bristol for many years. Mark’s father, Jim, was also active in the community. He was honored by the Bristol Lions Club.

Mark Keating was graduated from Yale University in 1950 and, like his father, chose a career in insurance. Mark worked at the Aetna in Hartford for many years prior to his 1978 retirement.

He lived simply, was devoted to his community and enjoyed his life here. He went to mass, attended senior lunches served by the students at St. Joseph School, and went to alumni events.

But this unassuming man was not without big plans. He left a bequest to establish the Keating-Monaghan Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Joseph School. It provides scholarships to deserving students. It will leave its mark on their lives, and the community, for many years to come.