DAVID HAINES McKENNEY

OCALA, Florida—David Haines McKenney, age 68 of Ocala, FL, and Fort Fairfield, Maine, died May 29, 2019, at Aroostook House of Comfort in Presque Isle, Maine, after a valiant battle with cancer.  He was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, on January 21, 1951, the son of Charles and Katherine (Haines) McKenney.  He was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1969, where he lettered in baseball and basketball, and of the University of Maine (Associate of Science Degree Agricultural Business Management, ‘71).  As a high school freshman, he was the starting shortstop for the Fort Tigers who won the Aroostook League championship in 1966.  His Future Farmers of America team won state championships 3 out of 4 years.  Mr. McKenney, like his ancestors before him, made his livelihood as a potato farmer in Fort Fairfield.  His great-great-grandfather, Patrick McKenney, a native of Ireland, settled in the local area by the 1840s.  He also was a descendant of Joseph Wingate Haines, another farmer, who settled in the area in 1847.  Mr. McKenney was one of McCain Foods USA’s top 10 growers for many years.  Even after retiring from full-time farming in 2004, he returned every year to work for Griffeth Farms during planting and harvest seasons.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, playing 45, doing handiwork around his homes, and going to Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs games. He rarely missed watching a Boston Celtics game on TV. He and his wife Deanie enjoyed traveling around the country in their RVs.  He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Deanie McKenney, his brother, Peter and his wife Susan, of Venice, FL, his step daughter Roxanne Schiloski of Douglas, MA, his step grandchildren Kelsey Zuidema and her husband Andrew Gabbard of San Diego, CA, and Kyle Zuidema of Uxbridge, MA, his step great grandchild, Scarlette Gabbard of San Diego,  his niece, Katherine Longhi of London, UK, and his nephew, Colin McKenney of Westminster, CO.  He is also survived by special friend, Larry Shepard, Deanie’s brother, of Fort Fairfield. Dave’s family is very grateful for the wonderful care given to him by Dr. Dimas Yusuf and the staff of Jefferson Cary Cancer Center in Caribou, ME, and by the doctors and staff of the Aroostook House of Comfort during his final days.  A Celebration of Life will occur at VFW Paul Lockhart Post 6187, 130 Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, with refreshments served, on Sunday, June 9 starting at 1:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, those who choose may contribute in memory of David to Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769, or a charity of their choice.  Inurnment in Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, will be private at a later time.