FORT FAIRFIELD – Paul A. McKenney, 78, husband of Mrs. Betty (Summerson) McKenney, passed away Friday evening, Feb. 25, 2011, at a Presque Isle health care facility, after an extended illness. He was born Sept. 29, 1932, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Arthur and Nora (LeVasseur) McKenney.
Paul was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1950, and was married to Betty J. Summerson, Sept. 15, 1950. A lifelong resident of Fort Fairfield and communicant of St. Denis Catholic Church, Parish of the Precious Blood, Fort Fairfield, Paul had a full life, through all the years he dedicated himself to his family. Hardworking was certainly the example he gave his children. Paul was a certified grower of seed potatoes, known for the quality of his crop. His generosity was enormous to his beloved wife, parents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings. We have much to be thankful for. But most importantly he left a legacy to his family of the value of love, hard work and generosity. He was known for loaning his tools, automobiles, farm equipment and often times his opinion on farming, which he gathered throughout his many years of experience. People came to Paul for advice and guidance and he always had a special way of lifting your spirit and making you laugh. He had a great sense of integrity and dearly loved children. Paul took great pride in building and constructing farm equipment. One of his greatest achievements at the age of 18 was building one of the first mechanical rock pickers in Aroostook County and as a result of this achievement, the University of Maine filmed it for their records. His mechanical ability was passed along to his children, with one of them having been a crop duster, two engineers at Vermont Yankee, an operating engineer at Lane Construction, a truck broker at Sargent Trucking, a laboratory technologist at The Aroostook Medical Center and a surgical technician at Maine Medical Center. The love Paul had for the farm life was reflected in the landscaping of his farm on the Conant Road, Fort Fairfield. His work was impressive enough to be featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine in the 1970s. After retirement, he found
much
happiness
in building two camps by hand at the top of the hill on his property for the enjoyment of his family, which was always his most important priority. He had also been a member of Fort Fairfield Lions Club and served on the former Community General Hospital Board of Directors, Fort Fairfield.
In addition to his parents, Paul was predeceased by one son, Wendell P. “Wendy” McKenney; one grandson, Mark E. McKenney; one brother, Charles A. McKenney; two sisters, Betty Putnam and Anna Towers; and one son-in-law, Roger Sabin. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty J. McKenney of Fort Fairfield; four sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Nikki McKenney of Mapleton, Daniel and Mitzi McKenney of Fort Fairfield, Patrick and Julie McKenney, and Michael and Lisa McKenney, all of Vernon, Vt.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Benton Cash, and Susan Sabin, all of Presque Isle; one brother, Larry McKenney and his wife, Peg, of Homestead, Fla.; one sister, Virginia Hurt of Rye, N.H.; 15 grandchildren, Melanie Perry of Presque Isle, Jackie McKenney of Winterport, Taylor McKenney of Boston, Melissa and Lance McKenney, both of Fort Fairfield, Julie Watt of Gray, Matthew Lombard, Andrew and Patrick Cash, all of Presque Isle, Chelsey, Colin, Nathan, Joshua, Tyler and Lauren McKenney, all of Vernon, Vt.; five great-grandchildren, Kailey McKenney of Presque, Cole and Alec Marquis, both of Winterport, Jackson and Maxwell Watt, both of Gray; several nieces and nephews. Paul also leaves behind many friends, including special friends, Tim and John Houghton, both of Fort Fairfield, and Brent Tibbetts of Presque Isle; and special caregiver, Robert Everett of Fort Fairfield.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. by the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, March 3, at St. Denis Catholic Church, Parish of the Precious Blood, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, celebrant. Spring interment will take place at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held at Knights of Columbus Hall, Council No. 1753, 260 Main St., Fort Fairfield, immediately after the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. McKenney to C.A.N.C.E.R, P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.