Donald D. Abare
1934 ~ October 14, 2019 (Age 85)

Donald D. Abare, beloved husband and father, died peacefully in Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 at the age of 85 years. He was preceded in death by his parents Josephine (Diotalevi) and Leonard, and brother Gerald Abare.
High school sweethearts, Don and Bette (Boucher) were married 64 years. Their devoted love for each other was admired by their friends, family, and three children, and took them to many places around the country and the world.
Don and Bette shared wonderful memories with their children. Don leaves behind: John (Joanna) Abare of London, England; Mary Ellen (Kevin) Carrier of Jacksonville, FL; Jane (Randall) Dapron of Dorset, VT; and loving sister Beverly Coobic of Winchendon, MA as well as many Italian relatives and friends.
He was affectionately known as “Grampy” to his grandchildren Caitlin/Phill Modern of Napa, CA, Robert Abare of Washington, DC and Julia Dapron of Dorset, Vermont. Grampy is remembered for traveling great distances, either alongside his grandchildren or toward them, to be with them and make them smile. They loved hearing his stories and laughing at his jokes and pranks.
Don graduated from Murdock High School in 1952 and proudly served in the US Navy aboard the USS Hazelwood as a Machinist Mate during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1955. He maintained contact with his shipmates for decades.
After serving, Don was a Machinist employed by General Electric in Fitchburg, MA for 33 years. He was on the Board of Directors for General Electric Credit Union and held the position of President upon retirement.
Don supported Winchendon in many ways throughout his 75 years in town. He served on the Memorial School Building Committee, as a corporator of Winchendon Savings Bank, as a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Eugene M. Connor Legion Post 193 and a regular at the Winchendon School Country Club.
Donald was an avid sportsman for much of his life. He was well known for his love of deer hunting, fishing and gun collecting. Much of his spare time was spent exploring the woods of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He also enjoyed playing golf with his wife, children, and friends, having lived within walking distance of Winchendon Country Club for many years.
Donald had a gifted mind for machines and building things. He had a private pilot's license, and completed many flights around New England. He also had a workshop in his basement where he fine-tuned his guns, golf clubs, and anything else that needed fixing.
Long known as a enthusiastic fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, Don looked forward to cheering on his teams on with friends and family.
Internment will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetary in Winchendon, Mass. at a later date, likely in the spring of 2020. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate. Messages of sympathy may be sent to: Bette Abare, 13362 Beach Blvd., 404, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

Mary E. Keney
April 10, 1925 ~ October 14, 2019 (Age 94)

WINCHENDON – Mary E. (Genis) Keney, 94, of 94 Glenwood Street, Gardner, formerly of Winchendon, died peacefully in her home, Monday afternoon, October 14, 2019, with her family at her side.
She was born in Gardner on April 10, 1925, daughter of the late John J. and Benedictas (Quarterski) Genis and was a graduate of Gardner High School and Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. Mary returned to Gardner six years ago to live with her daughter after living for many years in Winchendon.
Mary was a registered nurse at Heywood Hospital for 18 years until her retirement in 1988. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Winchendon and Holy Spirit Church in Gardner. She was an avid reader and greatly enjoyed spending time with her family and working in her flower garden.
Her husband, Ned E. Keney, died in 1999. She leaves two children, Mark B. Keney and his wife Brenda of Winchendon and Gail E. Cormier and her husband Paul of Gardner; three grandchildren, Nicole Landry, Andrew Keney and Jay R. Cormier; three great grandchildren; a sister, Lillian Genis of Gardner and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Leon Genis, Edward Genis and John Genis and her sisters Stella Virta, Anne Jarvis and Helen E. Foley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 11 A.M. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell Street, Gardner.
Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon will be held Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. preceding the mass.
Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061 or to Anunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440.