SOUTH PARIS – Richard “Dick” Keene, 86, a lifelong resident of Mechanic Falls died at the Maine Veterans Home on Nov. 10, after an 18 month battle with chronic lung disease.

One of four children, “Dick” was born to Forest and Alice Keene on July 19, 1918. He was a graduate of Mechanic Falls High School where he was an outstanding athlete. He married Adeline “Maisie” Klain in 1940. He was a Master Sergeant in the U. S. Army during World War II where he fought all over the South Pacific, including Guadalcanal and the Phillipines.

After returning from the war, he became a mail carrier for the USPS and served for over 40 years of RFD 1. He was honored by the Postal Department for his long continuous service. He also worked for Goss Hardware, drove a school bus and for a number of years was a basketball referee for many of the local high schools.

He was an avid sportsman, played all sports and continued many of them well into middle age. He loved fishing and hunting and he played golf and square danced into his 80’s. He belonged to the Tyrian Lodge, Dwinal Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and the American Legion Post 150 in Mechanic Falls.

He is survived by his sister, Helen (Edroy) Curtis, of Mechanic Falls; his son Rick (Lucy) Keene, of Fort Worth, Texas; his daughter, Rebecca (Larry) Gonhue, of Los Angeles, Calif.; his granddaughter, Jennifer (John) Arnold, of Los Angeles, Calif.; his great-granddaughter, Sydney Arnold, of Los Angeles, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother, Bob Keene, his sister, Marge Martin, his wife, Maisie in 1987, and his grandson, Blake Gonhue, 18, in 1993.

The Keene family wishes to publicly express their gratitude to Fran Jordan who was a wonderful friend to “Dick” up until the very end of his life.

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