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Keating, a self-employed attorney, served on the White Plains Common Council from 1970 to 1973, and was elected council president in 1974. That year Mayor Carl Delfino died, and Keating was appointed acting mayor. He was then elected to a one-year term in 1975.
During his time of service to the city, he made decisions about the development of the city’s downtown urban renewal area, which transformed White Plains into the dynamic urban center that it is today.
Keating also helped prevent an elevated highway route from coming to White Plains, which would have caused the same infrastructure problems that other cities are facing today, Mayor Thomas Roach said.
"As we move now toward a world where people really value a walkable community, and that’s a strength of our city, it’s great not to have that type of infrastructure in place because that is really a negative for walkability and bikability," he said.
Keating was born May 31, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pa., to the late Mary (Jordan) and Patrick Keating. He graduated from Power Memorial Academy in Manhattan, Villanova and NYU Law School.
He married his wife, Rebecca, in Santa Barbara, Calif., June 26, 1965. They have two children: Mary Brooks Keating and James O’Malley Keating. Both live in White Plains.
He is also survived by a grandson, Nico Talia Keating, and two sisters, Corinne Keating Devereux and Jane Keating Ryan.
Renee Cohen, who worked on one of Keating's campaigns, said she was saddened to hear of his passing Sunday. She said she kept in touch with his family through the years.
"He was very good communicator, excellent attorney, terrific father and husband," she said.
Visiting hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home on 491 Mamaroneck Ave.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in White Plains. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael’s name to Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770.
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