After riding out the peaks of covid we are happy to announce that arrangements for Gordon E. Keene’s passing are finally made. A military send off funeral will occur at the Agawam Veterans Cemetery on Friday May 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm with a “celebration of life” gathering immediately following at the Chicopee Elks located at 431 Granby Rd. As a courtesy for a head count, please let the family know in the comments/guest book section if you plan on attending. Thank-you.
Lt. Col., Gordon E. Keene, age 88, passed away on Dec. 16, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Clinton, Maine and was a true “Mainer” at heart. If you ever heard him do his downeast Maine twang while doing a “Bert and I” rendition, you’d know, “ayuh!”He was especially known for his animated “shaggy dog” jokes, memorized poems and soliloquies. He had many wonderful memories of family get togethers at his beloved camp in Unity, Maine, where he was in his element and most connected to his roots. After graduating from Colby College in Maine, “Gordie” proudly and patriotically dedicated over 21 years of his life to the United States Air Force and retired as Lt. Col., while at Westover Air Force Base. During his career he earned many awards, decorations and recognitions of achievements as a navigator flying in planes such as KC-135’s, KC-97’s and EC 121’s. He clocked an impressive 11,000 hours of flight time during his career. He was a Vietnam Wartime Veteran and navigated KC-135’s into position over the war zone to refuel fighter jets. He was also instrumental in monitoring listening devices along the Ho Chi Minh Trail transmitting the coordinates of enemy activity. He was highly regarded by his peers and superiors during his stellar military career. He was an incredibly loyal long term member of the Chicopee Elks and served as the Exalted Ruler several times. For many years he was an integral part of maintaining the overall function of the Elks and its finances. To his friends and family, he was primarily known for his significant intelligence, his engaging personality, his quick wit, generous spirit, giving nature and his exceptional memory and prolific vocabulary. He was a devoted, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and an extremely proud great grandfather, a beloved uncle and a tried and true friend. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara (Perry) Keene; his son Jeffrey Keene, his brother Paul Keene and his brother-in-law Kenneth Perry. He is survived by his daughters Pam Keene-Perreault and her husband David “Pepsi” of Westfield and Patricia “Patti” Watson and her husband Robert of Yarmouth Port; 6 grandchildren, Ashley, Wade, Tyler, Caitlin, Joshua and Courtney; 4 great grandchildren, Anthony, Hixon, Hyland and Hayes and his daughter-in-law Laurie Desorcy and her son Dylan of Chicopee. He will be missed by his devoted four legged constant companion, “Milo”. A military send off funeral will occur at the Agawam Veterans Cemetery on Friday May 20, 2022 at 3:00 PM. If inclined, please send donations to Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans or to Vietnam Veterans of America in his memory. The Grise Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.