James Edward Keane, 63, of Madison, peacefully entered into rest Jan. 24 at Connecticut Hospice, Branford, with his wife Judy and family at his side. Jim succumbed after he valiantly fought his battle with cancer for six years and four months.

The only child of the late Alice (Hanrahan) Keane and Dennis Keane, Jim was born Aug. 30, 1950 in New Haven. He graduated from Notre Dame High School, West Haven, in 1968 and Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, in 1972. After graduation, Jim started his career with Southern New England Telephone Co., which is now AT&T, and he retired after 35 ½ years as an engineer. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

After moving his family to Madison in 1987, Jim became active in his community as a coach in soccer, basketball, and softball. He also spent 15 years on the Flood and Erosion Commission in Madison. Jim was an avid golfer and spent much time trying to improve his game with his longtime friend and golf partner, John Connors.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Judith (Speiser) Keane; daughters Susan (Keane) McManus of Manchester Center, Vermont, Karen Keane of Madison, and Christine Keane of Manchester, New Hampshire. He will also be missed by his cousins Eileen Stratton of North Haven, Kathleen Sheridan of Norwalk, and Sr. Catherine Allen, O.P. of Columbus, Ohio, and many close friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeremy Kortmansky and the staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital, North Haven office, for their wonderful care and treatment during his illness.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Jan. 28 at St. Margaret Church in Madison, followed by burial in West Cemetery, Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Smilow Cancer Hospital, 20 York St., New Haven, CT 06510. Arrangements are with Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, Hamden.