AUBURN – Harold L. Keene, 85, formerly of Penobscot County, died at his home in Auburn after a long illness, with his loving family at his side on Friday, April 22.

He was born in Turner on Jan. 23, 1920, to the late Linwood W. and Mabelle G. (Bumpus) Keene. He graduated from Leavitt Institute in Turner in 1938.

In February 1944, he entered the U.S. Navy, where he graduated from Basic Engineering School and from Diesel School, in Gulfport, Miss. He was a motor machinist’s mate, 2nd Class, and was very proud of his service to his country. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the European Africa Theatre Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal.

At the time of his entry into the service, he was a truck driver for a lumber company. He later went to school in Chicago to be a diesel mechanic for Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Portland, a job that took him throughout most of New England and into Canada, repairing heavy-duty construction equipment at job sites.

With his father, he built one of the many homes his family lived in, including installation of the plumbing and wiring. In his retirement years, he continued working, raking blueberries many seasons, building kitchen cabinets for many customers, as well as other home repairs and carpentry, including building glass-front cases for collectibles.

He was a member of the VFW and the National Grange, and was a part-time police officer in Cumberland Center and in Auburn. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, where he ushered and helped with bingo for many years. He loved traveling and visiting caves.

He is survived by four children, Thomas and wife, Susan, of Lansdale, Pa., Daniel and wife, Judy, and Alice Marie Keene, all of Auburn, and Grace and husband, Clayton “Roy” Sampson, of Harrison, Ark.; two brothers, Edwin Keene of Windham, and Robert J. (Jim) Luckie and wife, Millie, of Meshoppen, Pa.; one sister, Evangeline (Keene) Riggs of North East, Md.; six grandchildren, Anita and Monica of Florida, Gregory of Missouri, Michael of Colorado, and Jeremiah and Jonathan of Auburn; four great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kimberly, Derrick and Nicholas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Helena (Tupai) Keene; his companion of 23 years, Frances Fitzgerald; one son, Donald; one grandson, Donald Joseph Sampson; two sisters, Merna (Keene) Bonney and Bertha (Keene) Sennett.

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