LEWISTON – Arnold F. McKenney, 87, died Sunday, Feb. 13, at Central Maine Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 10, 1917, in Portland, the son of Marie and Marlowe McKenney. He attended schools in Falmouth, and graduated from Colorado State University in 1955.

He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, served with the 240th Infantry National Guard in the Navy in World War II. He worked as a machinist with the Industrial Development Corporation, and Williams Brothers in Portland. He was a vocational instructor in Portland Evening School, Rockland High School, and in Florence, Colo., and later served as assistant vocational director for the state of Colorado, and Director of Trade and Industrial Education for the state of Maine.

In 1964, he became the director of the Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Auburn. In 1970, he joined the James River Corp. as training coordinator, and retired in 1982. He also worked for the Oxford Paper Co. as training director, and earned engineer’s licenses with the Central Wharf and Towboat Company.

During the years from 1964 to 1970, he served on the advisory commission for Higher Education in Maine, the Higher Education Planning Commission for the University of Maine, the advisory commission for the Employment Security Commission, and the State of Maine Manpower Commission.

He was a member of the Deering Lodge AF and AM, the Rumford chapter of Masons, the Strathless Commandary, a former member of the Dixfield Lions Club, and the Lewiston, Auburn, and Rumford Rotary Clubs. He is an honorary life member of the New England Industrial Arts Association, a 50-year life member of Engine 3 of the Falmouth Fire Department, and a former member of the Portland Retired Fireman’s Association.

While in Augusta, he was instrumental in development of legislation for the training of firefighters in Maine. He served as guest instructor at the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine and initiated legislation for the granting of credits for trade experience toward granting degrees for vocational instructors. He developed and started the Twin Cities Square Dance Club in Auburn, was a member of the Lewiston and Auburn Ice Skating Club, and a lifetime supporter of skiing in Maine.

He is survived by his wife, Adelaide, of Auburn; two daughters, Beth Ring of Topsham, and Judith Pruitt of Gig Harbor, Wash.; one son, David of Laguna Beach, Calif.; a sister, Marilyn Fogg of Falmouth; one brother, Norman of California; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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