George C. Keene, 88, of Arkport, N.Y., passed away on June 30 at the VA Medical Center in Bath.
Born in Haverhill, Mass. on Nov. 17, 1918, he was the son of Fred and Eleanor (Gross) Keene. He moved to the Arkport, N.Y. area in 1968.
George was a graduate of Alfred State College.
He was a veteran of WWII and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was wounded during the battle of Iwo Jima for which he received the Purple Heart.
George married Arlene Raynes on March 11, 1939.
He was employed in construction and spent many years building roads throughout the United States. Upon retirement from road construction, he opened Keene TV in Arkport, N.Y. and serviced and sold Zenith Televisions.
George and Arlene enjoyed spending time with friends and family at McDonalds, the Red Barn and K-Mart.
He was a member of the Arkport American Legion Post 1248, and a member of the Arkport United Methodist Church.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Arlene, in February 2004; sister, Shirley Keene; and brothers, Fred and Maurice.
George is survived by his sons, George (Mary Lou) Keene Jr. of California, Robert (Bonnie) Keene of Naples, N.Y., and James Keene of Canada; brother, Richard Keene of Maine; grandchildren, Cynthia (Phillip) Berry of Wayland, N.Y., Robert (Carrie) Keene Jr. of Springwater, N.Y., Michelle (Michael) Carlow of Troy, N.Y., and Patricia (Phil) Fiacco of Bergen, N.Y.; great-grandchildren, Phillip and Katherine Berry, Elizabeth and Alexandra Keene, Michael, James and Emily Carlow, Kevin, Brittany, Alyssa and Shelby Fiacco; and great-great grandchildren, Jace and Elijah Berry.
The family received friends July 3 at Bender- Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St, Hornell, N.Y. where funeral services followed calling hours at noon. Burial will be in Arkport Cemetery in New York.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com
