ROCKLAND — George H. Keating Jr., 83, proud veteran, long time auto-mechanic and beloved husband of Nancy Huntley Keating, died peacefully March 18, 2016, following an extended illness, at Sussman House in Rockport.

Born July 19, 1932, in Camden, he was the son of George Sr. and Eva Pierson Keating. Educated locally he was a 1950 graduate of Rockland High School.

Following high school, George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, George married Nancy Huntley in Clovis, N.M.

Nancy and George have made their home in Rockland most of their married life.

George began his career working in the Maine woods, harvesting logs. He later worked as a police officer in North Las Vegas, Nev. For several years he resided and fished on Criehaven. Moving to the mainland, he worked for many years for a transmission garage, eventually opening his own business, K & K Transmission, with his brother.

He was a lifetime member of both the Rockland Lodge of Elks No. 1008, where he served as exalted ruler, and the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. One. One of his greatest joy was spending summers with his two sons and their families at the family's cottage on Norton Pond in Lincolnville.

George is survived by his wife, Nancy of Rockland; his sons, Shawn Keating and his wife, Amy, of Union, and Michael Keating and his wife, Sherry Stanley, of Owls Head; his sisters-in-law, Helena Randall of Rockland and Lois Keating of Las Vegas, Nev.; his grandchildren, Aaron Keating and Lauryn Keating, both of Union, and Shelby Stanley-Keating of Owls Head; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of George's life was held March 30, 2016, at the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. One in Rockland.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.