WYNANTSKILL – Daniel V. Keating, 80, former Rensselaer County Sheriff, died Monday, January 30, 2012 at Samaritan Hospital with his family at his side. Born in Green Island on July 19, 1931, he was the son of the late Daniel A. and Marguerite Kelly Keating. Dan was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Grammar School in Green Island and Catholic Central High School in Troy class of 1948. He was a US Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the Marine Corps Reserve for 31 years.
He joined the New York State Police in 1955 and quickly moved from trooper to investigator to senior investigator. During his career he managed numerous homicide cases. He graduated from the Hudson Valley Police Academy with a degree in police science. He also attended specialized training in homicide investigation at the University of New Hampshire. During his 36 year career in the State Police, he received 12 Superintendent’s Commendations. He received the “Monsignor Christopher B. Kane” Humanitarian Award for disregarding his own safety in disarming a dangerous drug dealer and protecting the life of a fellow trooper.
1n 1991, Dan was elected Sheriff of Rensselaer County. He served faithfully in that capacity, having been elected for three terms. County Legislators praised Sheriff Keating for his service to the county overseeing a more modern and expanded jail, implementation of the county 911 service and working hard to protect the people of Rensselaer County. Dan completed 12 years of service, retiring on December 31, 2003.
Dan is a member of the Association of Chiefs of Police, the NYS National Sheriff’s Association, the American Legion, the VFW and the Marine Corps League. He is a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill and its Knights of Columbus, where he was a charter member and served as its first Grand Knight.
He loved fishing, boating, gardening, was an avid jogger and played basketball in the over 30 league well past the age limit. He enjoyed visits with his family every year to the Saratoga Race Course.
He is the beloved husband of over 60 years of Norma A. Connors Keating whom he married on St. Patrick’s Day, 1951 in St. Patrick’s Church in Watervliet, Devoted father of Daniel J. Keating of Troy, Kelly A. Seebald of Wynantskill, James S. (Lorrise) Keating of Wynantskill and Dawn M. (Thomas) Shepard of Troy, Proud grandfather of Michael, Stephen and Lauren Seebald, Kamryn, Connor and Colin Shepard, Corporal Gary Adams, USMC, Andrew and Kelsie Adams and the late Christopher Seebald, Cousin of Thomas (Beverly) Cooley of Troy. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 9:30 am at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 43 Brookside Avenue, Wyantskill. Interment with police and military honors will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Watervliet. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill on Thursday from 4-7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Colman’s Home, 11 Haswell Road, Watervliet, NY 12189.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Samaritan Hospital ICU Unit especially Isaac for the wonderful care given to our husband and father.
Arrangements are by the Parker Bros. Memorial, Watervliet. Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

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