FORT FAIRFIELD – Charles Arthur McKenney, 84, a lifelong resident of Fort Fairfield, died Nov. 13, 2010, at the Maine Veterans Home, Caribou, after a long period of failing health. He was born Jan. 2, 1926, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Arthur and Nora (LeVasseur) McKenney. He was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1944. Mr. McKenney, like his ancestors before him, made his livelihood as a potato farmer. His great-grandfather, Patrick McKenney, a native of Ireland, settled in the local area by the 1840s. Mr. McKenney’s farm, on the Hopkins Road, was where his grandfather, John S. McKenney, was born in 1867. After his retirement in 1984, he assisted his son David’s continuation of the family’s potato farming, including cultivation of his own Hopkins Road farm and that of his father’s former farm on the Presque Isle Road. Mr. McKenney was a communicant of Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, and a 50-year member of Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1757, both of Fort Fairfield. He was a life member and past commander of American Legion Walter Lovely Post No. 27, Fort Fairfield, and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Fort Fairfield, having served during World War II in the Fourth Infantry Division in Europe. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing pool with his grandchildren, reading and discussing history, world affairs and politics. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Peter and Susan of Cumberland and David and Deanie of Fort Fairfield; two grandchildren, Katherine Elise McKenney of London and Cpl. Colin McKenney, U.S. Marine Corps, now serving at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.; two brothers, Paul McKenney and his wife, Betty, of Fort Fairfield and Larry McKenney and his wife, Peg, of Homestead, Fla.; and one sister, Virginia Hurt of Exeter, N.H. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Katherine Haines McKenney, Nov. 6, 2009; and two sisters, Anna Towers and Betty Putnam. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and staff of the Maine Veterans Home, Caribou, for the wonderful care Charles received there. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. with the Rev. Aaron Damboise. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Aaron Damboise, celebrant. Interment with military honors will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held immediately after the interment service at VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Those who choose may contribute in memory of Mr. McKenney to Fort Fairfield Alumni Association, P.O. Box 201, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742; Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St., Fort Fairfield, ME 04742; Maine Veterans Home, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME 04736 or to a charity of their choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. <
CHARLES ARTHUR MCKENNEY
