Gilbert Keene

Lebanon, Me. Gilbert "Butch" Keene, 70, died peacefully Thursday Nov. 4, 2010 at home with his beloved wife Joy and his loving family by his side. He was born July 10, 1940 in Rochester NH, the son of Leslie and Rachael (Belanger) Keene. He valiantly battled a rare form of melanoma with grace and dignity for four and a half years. He was a member of the North Lebanon Second Baptist Church where he had been a Sunday School teacher and member of the choir for many years. Through his faith in God he had a wonderful positive outlook throughout his illness. On his website harehunter.net he wrote "I walk with cancer and talk with God". He knew he would live for eternity with his Lord in heaven. He attended Spaulding High School where he lettered in baseball, football, basketball and track. He felt very fortunate to be a member of two State Champion SHS Football teams going undefeated in 1956 and 1957. He was also very proud of being able to help his team win the state baseball title in 1957 when he pitched a no-hitter against the powerful Crimson Tide of Concord NH. After graduating high school class of 1958 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served until 1961 as a machinist mate on the USS Charles H Roan. Much of his naval service was spent in the Mediterranean Sea, visiting many ports of call in Spain, France, Italy and Greece. He was very proud of his military service to his country. He married his high school sweetheart Joy (Purrington) and together they raised two daughters and a son. They lived in Rochester for several years before moving to Lebanon Maine. He loved coaching and playing with his children and grandchildren, attending their games, and teaching them to hunt. He was a manufacturing supervisor at General Electric in Somersworth NH, retiring after thirty four years at age 55. He loved life and had many hobbies and interests. He became a personal fitness instructor and enjoyed working for The Works gym in Somersworth for eleven years until his illness. He was an avid outdoorsman where he enjoyed rabbit and deer hunting, fishing and raising and training his beagles. He was an active member of the Salmon Falls Beagle Club in Lebanon ME where he held several positions over the years. He produced several AKC Licensed Field Trial Champions. In 2007 he was inducted into the Better Beagling International Large Pack Hall of Fame. He was currently the clubs second longest attending member, having joined the club at age 12. He loved writing stories on his website about his hunting trips. He was a wood carver and carved many beautiful birds and animals and enjoyed attending carving seminars taught by nationally known carvers. He was a member and chairman of the SAD #60 school board in his early years in Lebanon. He was a very friendly and outgoing person and made friends wherever he went. He loved his family and he loved his friends. He touched so many lives words cannot express how much he will be missed. He leaves behind his loving family, his wife Joy of 49 years, daughter Debra Fields, grandchildren Jessica, Ashley, Christopher and Hannah, great granddaughter 9 month old Isabella, daughter Laurie Keene, grandchildren David, Daniel and Douglas, son Scott Keene, brother Dr. Douglas (Noreen) Keene, niece Kimberlee, sister Francine (Robert) Thompson, nephews Gary, Chris, Jay, Greg and Keith, brother-in-law Jay (Deborah) Purrington, nephew Matthew, great niece Kaitlyn, sister-in-law June (Gordon) Warren, nephew Douglas and niece Pamela, aunt Jean Belanger and many cousins. He was predeceased by his father and mother and his 10 week old granddaughter Elizabeth Ann. Friends and family may call on Monday Nov. 8, 6:00-8:00 PM at Edgerly Funeral Home, 86 South Main St. Rochester NH. A memorial service will be held Tuesday Nov. 9, 10:00 AM at the Second Baptist Church, Baker's Grant Rd. Lebanon, ME. Memorials in his memory may be made to North Lebanon Second Baptist Church, Baker's Grant Rd, Lebanon, Me, 04027, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One #1 Scarborough, ME 04074 or the Salmon Falls River Beagle Club, PO Box 198, Lebanon, ME 04027.