Jerome Keane

Jerome Keane, 88 years old, died on May 20, 2015 in Athens, GA. He was a graduate of Michigan State University and served his country in the U. S. Army in the United States and the Phillipine Islands for two years during World War II. Jerome, whom everyone called Jerry, married Claire Brackman of Nashville, TN in 1951. They shared a long, happy marriage for 56 years until Claire’s passing in 2007.

Jerry’s career began at WSB radio in Atlanta where he was a news announcer. In 1953, his appointment to news director at WDOL radio in Athens brought him to the town he embraced as home for the rest of his life. He was also news director at WGAU radio. In 1963, Jerry’s career took him into public relations, fund raising, and community volunteer organizing for Optimist International and the Georgia Heart Association. In 1979, he purchased Framecrafters Gallery, which he operated until he retired in 1989.

He was a volunteer in many community activities, including the Athens Jaycees and the Clarke County Republican Party. Community theater was especially dear to his heart. He was a founding member of Athens’ Town and Gown Theater and performed in and directed many of its productions. He also performed in radio commercials and docudramas and hosted a series on WGTV.

Jerry shared with his beloved Claire a life-long commitment to the Catholic faith. He was a fifty-year member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic men’s service organization. He and Claire were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the University of Georgia’s Catholic Student Center (Newman Center), where he held numerous volunteer leadership positions in support of evangelization and education. With his clear, Irish tenor voice, he was a robust singer of all hymns, as anyone who ever attended the same Mass as he can attest.

Jerry is survived by his three children, Lindy Keane Carter; Vincent Keane and his wife, Debbie; John Keane and his wife Jo, and eight grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the UGA Catholic Student Center at 1344 S. Lumpkin St. Reception in the church hall to follow. The family will receive friends from 5-7PM with a Rosary at 6:30PM Tuesday, May 26th at Bernstein Funeral Home. A graveside service for the family will be held later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Monsignor Donovan High School in Athens.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.