Clayton R. McKenney

Clayton R. McKenney, 79, of Alfred, Maine died on May 29, 2007 at Southern Maine Medical Center after a heroic struggle following a stroke in March of this same year. He was three days shy of his eightieth birthday. He formerly was a long-time resident of East Lebanon, Maine and Dover, New Hampshire. His children, grandchildren, and brother-in-law were with him throughout the last days of his life.He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on June 1, 1927, the son of William and Eva (Caret) McKenney. He was a 1945 graduate of Portsmouth High School where he met his wife Muriel dePontbriand during graduation activities for their class. During World War II, he served first as private in the Air Corps Enlisted Service in the Army and was discharged on May 10, 1945. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 18, 1945 and served as a Seaman First Class on the U.S.S. Lindsay and the U.S.S. Amberjack. On May 3, 1947 he married Muriel dePontbriand in Portsmouth and was discharged from the Navy on October 9, 1947.He attended McIntosh Business School while working several jobs. His family remembers him as always willing to work to provide for them and always extolling the virtue of hard work. He became a salesman for Sears Roebuck and moved up their management ranks through store manager in both Portsmouth and Dover, regional sales manager in New Hampshire and district sales manager for a large segment of New England. He worked in sales management in Massachusetts for Montgomery Ward but returned to New Hampshire to be closer to family. He then worked in the automobile retail industry until his retirement.Family members recall his devotion to his wife's parents and family. His own mother had died when he was seven and for a stretch of time, he was a foster child in the State of New Hampshire on a farm. Muriel's family became his own and he provided for them. When he and Muriel purchased their first home in 1954 on Newcastle Avenue in Portsmouth they found a place with room for his mother and father in-law, Hector and Vivien dePontbriand. When his brother-in-law returned from the Viet Nam War and needed a place to live, he lived with Muriel and Clayton. When nieces and nephews needed temporary homes they lived with their aunt and uncle as well. His home was always open to family.He loved the house he built with his sons on Milton Pond in East Lebanon, Maine as did all the family who spent many summer days at barbecues, jumping off the dock, swimming across the lake, skiing, and building campfires for marshmallows. His sister Grace joined them every summer for years from her home in Florida. He loved camping with the family at Sebago Lake State Park, Long Lake & Milton Pond.He was active throughout his life and in later years took up golfing with a passion. He was a member of the summer league at the Sanford Country Club for many years and also played golf with his son-in-law and grandchildren on Sanibel Island. Other past times included his Friday poker group, bowling, deer hunting, and ice fishing.He was a communicant of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Sanford, Maine.He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Muriel McKenney; his daughter, Linda R. McKenney; and his sister and brother-in-law, Claire and Mike MacInnis.Survivors include his daughter Diane McKenney Eckert and her husband Joe of Vienna, VA, his two sons Clayton R. McKenney and his wife Carol of Rochester, N.H. and Robert W. McKenney of Portland, Maine; his sister Grace Amey of South Carolina, and brother William McKenney; and brother-in-law, Hector G. Pontbriand of Florida; his seven grandchildren, Rose-Ann Eckert of Tucson, AZ, Liz Eckert of Washington, D.C.; Chris and Anna Eckert of Vienna, VA.; Shawn and Rebecca McKenney of Tilton, New Hampshire and Christopher McKenney of Rochester, New Hampshire; and many nieces and nephews. A period of visitation will be held on Friday, June 1, 2007 from 2:00 to 4:00 & 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street in Sanford. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM, Saturday at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Portsmouth, NH.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to either St. Therse of Lisieux of Parish, 66 North Avenue, Sanford, Maine 04073 or Waban Projects, Inc., 5 Dunaway Drive, Sanford, Maine 04073. To leave a message of condolence for the family please use the condolences tab to the left.