Richard “Dick” N. Keene, 90, of Bremen, passed away at his home with his loving family by his side on the morning of March 29th. Born on November 28, 1927 in the same house he passed in, he was the son of Fred and Eleanor (Gross) Keene.

Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was 17 years old, during WWII, hoping to go on a ship but ended up as a Machine Gunner on a plane. He graduated from Lincoln Academy as part of the class of 1947, and met his wife Ava Shattuck there. They were married on May 28, 1949.

He worked for the Central Maine Railroad in the signal department. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent most of his time as a boat master in Southwest Harbor, Japan and Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida. He had one tour in Thailand and served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired in 1973 with 22 years in the Air Force.

He was a migratory beekeeper with hives in Maine and Florida for 11 years. He could do all the works with the beekeeping. He and Ava spent 15 years going to Florida in their fifth wheel camper, after he sold the bees. He loved to sail, was the life of the party, had fun telling jokes, loved people, was always busy, and loved his family.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his parents; a baby daughter; and brothers, Fred, Maurice and George.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Ava; two daughters, Marie L. Ferrin of Bremen, and Sandra J. Keene; five grandchildren, Melissa (Luis) Da La Cruz of Fairfield, CA, Michelle Ferrin of Vallejo, CA, William R. Spencer, Jr. of Tallahassee, FL, Benjamin Heller of Corrington, KY, and Elisabeth Heller of Biddeford, ME; 8 great-grandchildren, Gabriella (Zachary) Marmonte, of Vacaville, CA, Kristopher Ferrin of Bremen, Alexander Da La Cruz and D’angelo Da La Cruz of Fairfield, CA, Shian Starks of Bremen, Raylonnia Foster and Makayla Foster of Fairfield, CA, and Wylie Spencer of Tallahassee, FL; two great great-granddaughters, Scarlette and Raven Marmonte of Vacaville, FL; several nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as special friends, the David Autio family.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miles & St. Andrew’s Home Health and Hospice, ℅ development office, 35 Miles Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.