Lakeland, FL – Born in Claremont, NH, on June 9, 1938, Ray Keating, the only child of T. Winston “Buster” Keating and Anna (Pederson) Keating, died April 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida, after a period of declining health.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Christine; five daughters Carrie (Charles) Griffiths of Rye, NH; Stephanie Allen of Crested Butte, CO; Sarah (Michael) MacDonald of Rye, NH; Hannah (Raul) Roque of Winter Garden, FL; and Rachel (Joshua) Boynton of Winter Park, FL; and 10 grandchildren. He was predeceased by grandson Asher Crank.
Ray earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1960 and an M.B.A. from Boston University in 1962. He served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Westover Air Force Base until his honorable discharge in 1970.
Ray joined Keating Insurance, the family business founded in 1933 in Claremont, and became an early adopter of computer technology in the industry, influencing practices across New England. He later founded a software consulting business. He served as president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New England and was active in the Claremont community, including the Stevens High School Alumni Association, Claremont Chamber of Commerce, Unitarian Universalist Church, and A Better Chance. He also served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1971 to 1972.
He and Christine later moved to Lakeland, Florida, to be closer to family.
A private burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Claremont is planned this summer with immediate family members.
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