First enlisting at age 15 in the Canadian Militia, Keane was commissioned in 1935 as a Lieutenant with The Lake Superior Regiment.

Already a captain and the LSR's Adjutant at the start of World War II, Keane was mobilized for active service along with the rest of regiment.

Promoted to major and serving as the LSR's second in command when the regiment was sent to Normandy after the Normandy landings, Keane was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commanded the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) from August 1944 until the end of the war in May 1945.

He joined the Regular Force after the war, Keane served with the Directorate of Military Operations and Plans at the National Defence Headquarters.

After commanding 2RCR in Korea, Keane returned to Canada and promoted to the rank of colonel, serving in various senior capacities until retiring from the army in 1965.