Horace A. McKenney Obituary (1918

DEXTER - Horace Arthur McKenney 89, died Saturday Feb. 23, 2008 at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Pittsfield of complications from brain cancer. Hod was born October 4, 1918 in Dexter, the son of Frank P. and Bertha (Reed) McKenney. He grew up on the farm and attended Dexter schools. Always a hard worker, he had many jobs as a young lad in school. He was the school janitor, a sled builder, a blacksmith helper in addition to helping his Dad on the dairy farm. In 1941, not able to serve his country, he bought Clyde Jewett's milk business when Clyde joined the service. He proudly called it Victory Dairy. Horace married Lois Nelson of Dexter and they raised seven children on the farm. He grew beans for the local cannery and loved having the area kids pick beans for him. He was always proud of his family and enjoyed working on the family tree. Horace had a terrific memory and shared his stories with everyone. He loved watching the grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports. The family called him the human calculator as he could figure numbers quicker than an adding machine. He enjoyed playing Beano throughout the area and playing in cribbage tournaments. He rarely refused a competitive game of Phase 10 or cribbage and usually was the winner. Horace farmed in the Dexter area all his life and at the time of his death he was farming with his son Perry on the Garland Road. Last summer he was riding tractor 12 hours a day during haying season and still growing the best sweet corn around. He was known throughout the area for his sweet corn "picked fresh daily," which he peddled for years from Dexter to Kingfield and Bingham. Hod felt that he was nearest to God when he was on his knees weeding his garden or picking his corn. He enjoyed fishing and hunting all his life and was a past member of the Dexter Fish and Game and a member of the Big Buck Club. He earned the nickname of the Ridge Runner because he could walk faster and further than the younger hunters. He was a 35 year member of the Plymouth Lodge #65 Odd Fellows of Dexter where he held the offices of Vice Grand, Noble Grand, Financial Secretary and Treasurer. He was District Deputy Grand Master for 8 years and Outside Guardian for the Grand Lodge of Maine. He is survived by his son Perry F. McKenney and wife Barbara, of Dexter; six daughters, Patsy and her husband Ronald Dickinson of Charlottesville, VA, Evelyn and her husband George White, Jr of Winterport, ME, Marcia and her husband Lynn Herrick, of Kingfield, ME, Nellie and her husband Joseph Kennedy, of Ripley, ME, Nancy and her husband Joseph Pichette of Portland, ME, and Darlene and her husband Robert Stewart of Dexter, ME. 16 Grandchildren and 31 Great Grandchildren. A nephew Roderic McKenney and wife Barbara, two nieces, Charlotte and husband Bob Witham, Sonya and husband Roland Arno. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Lois, in 1998; his brothers, Marden and Norman McKenney; his sisters, Dorothy Fowler and Doris Cookson; his granddaughter Kathleen (Katy) White. Friends may call 2-4 pm and 6-8pm at Crosby & Neal, 61 Main St, Dexter on Weds. Feb. 27th. A celebration of Horace's life will be held on Thursday, February 28th at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church, Main St, Dexter. Spring burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. Gifts in Horace's memory may be made to the Dexter Middle School, Abbott Hill Ramblers Music Account, 62 Abbott Hill Rd, Dexter, Maine 04930.