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This is in remembrance of a man who shared his heart, who let you know that he cared for you in his incredible, personal, and loving style. Matthew Markey Keating, age 40, left us on August 16th, 2024 surrounded by loved ones after a valiant battle with brain cancer while living in Lisbon, Portugal. Matthew grew up in Clinton, Connecticut where he made a lasting impression on the shoreline. He attended the public school in Clinton. Matt’s last two years of high school were at the Landmark School in Beverly, MA. While there, Matt joined theatre, and participated in the Massachusetts Theatre Festival competition, where he earned an award for his role as narrator in the “Abridged Guide to Shakespeare”. From Landmark, Matt attended Colby Sawyer and spent the summer at the New London Barn Theatre working with professional actors/professors who suggested that Matthew transfer to Southern Connecticut State University where he found his niche working in the theater department. While establishing a network of enduring friendships from SCSU and on the shoreline, he was encouraged by his professors to apply to work at the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico as a dresser. Matt was accepted and spent two consecutive summers in Santa Fe. Through his diligence and work ethics at the Opera he was offered a job at the Alley Theater in Houston as head of dressers. Matt continued to hone his professional insight, talent and skills. He then moved to New York City where he worked tirelessly on multiple shows to earn his acceptance into the Union. The end result of working and cultivating a myriad of expertise, he was hired as a dresser at The Lion King production on Broadway where he worked for well over a decade. While living in Brooklyn and working on Broadway, Matthew met his wonderful life partner, Federico. They moved to Lisbon in 2019 where they created a beautifully rich life together, seamlessly assimilating into the culture and flow of life. While in Lisbon Matthew worked as an interior designer. If you find yourself in Lisbon, visit Bar Na Colina to see and feel first hand Matthew’s gift of design. There he fashioned a space meant to welcome and hold kindly all souls who wish to share in a special gift of kinship, which Matthew offered so easily. Through all of life’s journey Matt was totally present with those he met along the way, establishing fast, deep, and caring friendships. He was fiercely giving, welcoming, a shoulder in any storm, bringing his mischievous humor to lighten and brighten one's day. His knack for making those around him smile and feel at ease let them know he cared and saw their worth. The world was…is a better, more joyous place because of Matthew’s wondrous presence and the lasting effect he had on all who he encountered.

Matthew is survived by his partner, Federico Lauria; his parents Becky and Ted; his brother Eliot; his nephews Teddy and James; and a legion of aunts, uncles and cousins and all the friends and individuals whose lives he touched. The intricate connections he made throughout his life, whether with family or friends is particularly poignantly viewed with Matthew and Federico’s loving friends in Lisbon who were a critical support network, along with Beck, Ted and his Aunt Lucy, when Matthew became ill with brain cancer and then throughout the debilitating and devastating progression of the disease. A heartfelt thank you to all who have expressed love, concern, and kindness during our time of bereavement.