Peter Andrew McKenney

Peter Andrew McKenney
1936 - 2017
OAKLAND - Peter Andrew McKenney, 80, of Oakland, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, at Mount Saint Joseph Residence and Rehabilitation in Waterville.
He was born in Waterville on Oct. 15, 1936, at the original Thayer Hospital at Post Office Square, the son of Joseph Andrew McKenney and Helen (Frost) McKenney. He grew up in a working class family in Waterville. He became active in theater in junior high and high school. He was a graduate of Waterville High School.
In his early years, he delivered newspapers for the Waterville Morning Sentinel, worked for his uncle at Civil Engineer at age 14, was a counselor at Boy's Camp (Y.M.C.A.); and worked at Park's Diner behind the counter.
He married Joan Lila Amburg of Winthrop, and they shared many wonderful years together.
On Feb. 3, 1955, he entered the United States Air Force, and trained in air police and security duties. He did the original assignment to Vietnam, and then his assignment changed to the air control site near Machias. Later, with his wife, they harvested blueberries in Maine's Washington County. He also cut pulpwood while working shifts at the base in nearby Whiting. He later transferred to Presque Isle's air base. He served as an air policeman, and retrained supervisor at Base Detention Center. He took FBI courses, and studied law by correspondence during this time.
Upon being discharged in 1958, he entered college in Presque Isle, which was part of the University of Maine System. He missed the G.I. Bill by three days. The Bill ran out Jan. 30, 1958, and he entered college Feb. 3, 1958.
He was hired as a television newsman and announcer at a local commercial television station. He began college for another half semester, and worked 48 hours a week. Upon receiving his degree, he taught fifth grade at Presque Isle Grammar School. Later, he moved to Central Maine, and taught government and history, and contract law at Williams High School in Oakland. He also taught driver education, and worked at a local radio station after school. He later became an administrator of a state agency. He served on state and national committees (wrote the first 13 amendments to the National Highway Safety Law), and four years later left the state position to become a municipal manager. He worked for, and put together a state-wide health agency, Cystic Fibrosis and Children's Lung Patients Advocate.
With his wife and daughter, they purchased a business on Maine's coast. They managed the day-to-day operation of the successful restaurant in Boothbay Harbor, the Carousel Music Theatre. We owned the famous Carousel Music Theatre in Boothbay Harbor for 30 years.
He was predeceased by a brother, Ted.
He is survived by his wife, Joan L. McKenney; four daughters, Barbara; Donna McKenney Welch, and her husband Anthony Joseph Welch, of Winslow; Jayne; and Sherry; a brother, Nick; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be private. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield. An online guestbook may be signed at:
www.lawrybrothers.com.