A Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Vincent A. Keane, a retired priest of the diocese, was celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, Feb. 9.
He died Feb. 5 at the Bishop Mugavero Residence, Douglaston. He was 86.
Born in Long Island City, he attended Cathedral College, Fort Greene; the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington; Fordham University and the City College of New York. He was ordained May 31, 1958 by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart at St. James Co-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.
He served as parochial vicar at St. Pascal Baylon, St. Albans, 1958-59, before being assigned to the faculty of Cathedral College, Fort Greene, 1959-63.
In 1963, he was named to the faculty of Cathedral Prep, Elmhurst, where he served as a teacher, 1963-73, and then as principal, 1973-79.
He was an assistant at SS. Joachim and Anne, Queens Village, 1979-80, and St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor, 1980-83.
He became pastor of St. Francis de Sales, 1983-88, and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Bayside, 1997-2001.
He was the temporary executive director of the Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, 1996-97, and spiritual director of the Cathedral Seminary Residence, Douglaston, 2001-04.
Msgr. Keane also served as diocesan director of the Apostleship of Prayer-Sacred Heart Devotion, and director of the House of Formation, Douglaston. He was a member of the diocesan priests senate, the diocesan presbyteral council, the diocesan board of consultors and the Rockaway Catholic-Jewish Council.
Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass and preached the homily. Concelebrating the Mass will be Father Thomas Pettei, Father Fred Marano and Father Nadine.
Father Kevin Sweeney, pastor of St. Michael Church, Sunset Park, was Msgr. Keane’s student at Cathedral Prep, and credits the late priest with helping to inspire and encourage his vocation.
“Msgr. Vincent Keane was the perfect role model for young priests. He was full of kindness, devotion and service,” Father Sweeney said. “I remember many times seeing him wash the feet on Holy Thursday and then he would even kiss the [people’s] feet. He was full of love. It truly was a great privilege from being a student of his to eventually being able to work together as well.”
He is survived by his niece Mary Cunningham.
Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.