Benjamin D. Keating

Captain Benjamin D. Keating, 27, of Shapleigh, died November 26 while serving as executive officer of A Troop, 3-71 Cavalry, Task Force Spartan, 10th Mountain Division in Kamdesh, Afghanistan.He was born in Sanford on May 31, 1979, the son of Kenneth D. and Elizabeth A. (Grant) Keating. He attended Shapleigh schools and was a 1997 graduate of Massabesic High School.Ben attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. degree in 2004. While at UNH he served as the chair of the Young Republicans. He joined the Army ROTC, was a distinguished military graduate, recipient of the Marshall Award, and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army.He was trained in armor at Ft. Knox, KY. He then went to Ft. Drum, NY where he served as platoon leader for the 3-71 Cavalry, B Troop, became the executive officer of A Troop last November, was promoted to 1st lieutenant in January and was deployed to Afghanistan in February. He was recently promoted to captain. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device.He was a member of the Springvale First Baptist Church where he was a youth leader and taught Sunday School.Ben served on the Shapleigh Planning Board from 2000-2002.Survivors include his parents, Kenneth D. Keating and Elizabeth A. Keating of Shapleigh, his sister, Jessica A. Keating and her fiance Christian J. Lewis of Falmouth, his paternal grandmother, Janice Keating of Winthrop, MA, his special friend Heather McDougal of Springvale, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, December 5 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 at 11 AM at the Springvale First Baptist Church, 429 Main Street, Springvale. Seating in the church is very limited and by invitation only please. Additional seating will be available at the Nasson Community Center, 457 Main Street, Springvale. Also, Metrocast Cablevision will telecast the service live over community channel 12. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Springvale. Following the burial the family will receive relatives and friends again at the Knight of Columbus Hall, 47 High Street, Sanford.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in Ben's name be made to the Springvale First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 277, Springvale, ME 04083. To send the family a note of condolence, please use the Condolences tab at the left.