Benton W Keene Jr.

1938 - 2021

Retired Norton Police Chief Benton W. Keene, Jr., age 83, a lifelong resident of the Chartley section of Norton, passed away peacefully, in the presence of his adoring family on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. He was the beloved husband of the late Marguerite J. "Peggy" (Dion) Keene, to whom he was wed for sixty-three years at the time of her recent death on April 21, 2021.

Born in Attleboro, MA on September 28, 1938, he was a loving son of the late Benton W, Sr. and Rose D. (Cummins) Keene.

Benny grew up in town and was a 1957 graduate of Norton High School. He began his career in law enforcement in 1960, as a Special Police Officer for the Town of Norton. He became a fulltime Norton Police Officer in 1964 and later, the Chief of Police in1975. Following a career that spanned thirty-seven years, Chief Keene retired in 1997.

Chief Keene became the first Norton Police Officer to graduate from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 1983. He was also a graduate of Northeastern University, with a master's degree in Public Administration and from November, 1992-April, 1993, served as the Interim Norton Town Manager.

Benny was a member and past president of the Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association and a former member, past president and treasurer of the Norton Lions Club.

Mr. Keene loved spending time with family and very much so at his second home in New Hampshire. He enjoyed playing pool with family and friends alike and will always be remembered as a people person and for his love of the Town of Norton.

He is survived by his devoted children Benton W. Keene III and wife Michelle of Attleboro, Guy Keene and wife Laura of Norton, Richard Keene and wife Joann of Attleboro, Bryan Keene and wife Roseanne of Norton, Cheryl Liddell and husband Robert of Rehoboth, and Sandra Freedman and husband Daniel of Norton. He was the dear brother of A. Thomas Keene and his wife Sharon of North Attleboro and the late Janice Eddleston, who is survived by her husband Robert Eddleston of Norton and the late Susan Wilson. He is also survived by his cherished 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, as well as his many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was recently predeceased by his best four-legged friend "Tinker".

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, December 13th from 12:00-4:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.

At the conclusion of visiting hours on Monday, a funeral service will be held at 4:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the Keene family has requested that donations in Benton's memory be made to the Norton Police Department, 82 East Main Street, Norton, MA 02766.

To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com