Obituary of Roland A. Keane
South Plainfield, NJ – Roland A. Keane, 91, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023 at his residence with his loving wife at his bedside. Born in Jersey City to the late Anthony and Alice (Murphy) Keane, Roland lived in Winfield Park, graduated from Cranford High School in 1950 and prior to settling in South Plainfield in 1964, he lived a short time in Dunellen.
Roland enlisted in the United States Air Force and after faithfully serving his country as Staff Sergeant during the Korean War; he was honorably discharged in 1956 and continued in the National Guard for three additional years.
After thirty-eight years with AT&T Bell Labs, Roland retired as an Engineering Associate in 1997. He had a love for working outdoors and in his yard, and was a great mechanic. Roland enjoyed swimming, walking in Spring Lake Park and loved to travel with his wife, often visiting Ireland, Bermuda and Italy. He also looked forward to taking his three sons to Yankees games every summer.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, belonged to the Knights of Columbus and in his youth, was a faithful Boy Scout. Roland enjoyed bowling, skiing, dancing and playing the accordion. He especially loved traditional Irish music and celebrating St Patrick’s Day every year with family and friends.
Predeceased by his parents Anthony and Alice, step-father John Dowling and his brother Donald J. Keane, Roland leaves behind his wife Carolyn whom joined hands in marriage on August 4, 1962 and their three sons, Roland J. and his wife Lisa Kramer of Lawrenceville, Daniel and Claudia of New Hope, PA and Timothy and his wife Melissa of Wall. He will also be missed dearly by his six grandchildren, Brian, Erin, James, Liam, Owen, Ciara Jaeger and her husband Brendan and by three nieces Beth Ann Giakas, Jean Brennan and Kendra Nestor and their husbands and children.
Roland was a warm, caring and loving husband devoted to his wife Carolyn for 61 years of marriage. He was deeply loved and admired by his children and grandchildren. He was kind and supportive to all in need, loved to laugh and spend time with his friends, coworkers and neighbors over dinner and coffee. During retirement he enjoyed cooking and the occasional round of golf. He was always a reliable source for advice, dedicated to his children and grandchildren in supporting their academics, school sport teams and career choices. He maintained a deep faith all his life which was strengthened during a difficult period at age 17 when his father Anthony passed away and left him the provider for his mother Alice and brother Donald. Roland was a true role model as a husband, father and grandfather and will always be loved and admired and greatly missed by his extended family and all who knew him.
Visitation will be held at McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 on Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 9:00am until 9:30am. A funeral mass will follow at Sacred Heart Church in South Plainfield beginning 10:00am. Roland will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery located in Westfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to Sacred Heart Church (www.churchofthesacredheart.net)