DEXTER--Keith Lester "Ping" Pingree, 81, passed away at home after a short courageous battle with lung cancer on April 27, 2018. He was born February 13, 1937, in Hartland, a son of Lester and Ruth (Nutting) Pingree. He graduated From Dexter High School, Class of 1956.

His first job was for the highway department for the town of Dexter and later at Dexter Shoe Company as a cutter. Keith spent many years in the Millinocket area doing dozer work. He worked on John Travolta's private airport, Hibbard Nursing Home grounds, the Sedomocha School and many others. His joy was doing ground work and building farm ponds for various construction companies.

Keith started work for Bridge Construction in 1979, where he worked for 21 years. He started as a loader operator and then became the foreman in the portable hot top plant. It was Ping that would oversee the setting up and running the plant to produce hot top for the paving crew, then tear it down and move to another town, which he did all over Maine. When the plant was sold, he went back to being a loader operator and other various jobs within the company, including working on cranberry bogs in Cherryfield. Ping was a quiet man but enjoyed family times. He loved fishing in the Shirley area, hunting, and was an avid reader.

He is survived by his wife Leola (Hewes) Pingree; a daughter, Jean Moreno and husband Andres; 2 sons, K. David Pingree, and Robert "Ping" Pingree and his significant other Tina; a daughter-in-law, Cathy Pingree; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren with 1 more expected in June; a brother Jesse and wife Marion Pingree and their children, Paul and Kevin; special friends Fred Tyler, Keith Gudroe, and Jeff Worster. He was predeceased by an infant brother, Robert; sister Phyllis; his son, Roger K. Pingree; nephew, Mark; special friends, Richard "Hambone" Ham and Bobby Mountain.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the VNA Hospice and nurses Marge, Dolly, Ily and Nancy.

At Keith's request there will be no services. A private graveside committal service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Dexter. Donations in his memory may be made to Sarah's House, 346 Main Road, Holden, Maine 04429.