SUN CITY CENTER, FL: Donald J. McKendry, 89, formerly of Plaistow, NH and Melrose, MA, passed away Sunday, February 5th, at South Bay Hospital in Sun City Center, FL. He was born March 4, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the late Archibald and Sarah (Roberts) McKendry. Donald was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s High School in Philadelphia, PA and in 1950 he graduated from Boston College. He served in the Merchant Marines and was a Korean War veteran in the United States Army having honorably served from 1950-1952. Donald was a member of the Plaistow Planning Board, the Rockingham County Planning Commission, and the Plaistow Lions Club. He enjoyed classical music, reading history, solving puzzles and going for walks. Mr. McKendry was the Vice President of Research and Development with Foss Manufacturing in Hampton, NH where he was also employed as a chemist for over 25 years before retiring and settling in Sun City Center, Florida with his wife Beverly.
Donald is survived by his loving wife Beverly (Duplisse) McKendry of Sun City Center, FL, his children; Charles D. and Jennifer McKendry of Cary, NC, Donna E. McKendry Angell of Haverhill, MA, Mary E. and Ronald R. LaFrance of Hampstead, NH, Jean E. McKendry and Gary E. Machlis of Central, SC, and Paul G. and Beth A. McKendry, of Plaistow, NH. He is also survived by nine grandchildren; Regan McKendry, Timothy (Colleen) McKendry, Sean McKendry, Kathleen McKendry, Sarah Angell, Thomas Angell, Scott LaFrance, Elizabeth (James) Henderson and Nicole (Justin) Wheeler, three great grandchildren; Alice McKendry, Carter Henderson, and Gwen Henderson in addition to several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by the mother of his children Helen M. (Courtenay) McKendry.
A visitation will be held Sunday, February 19, from 4-7 PM at The Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA. A memorial mass will be celebrated Monday at 11 AM from Saint Luke The Evangelist Church, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, NH. A private spring-time interment will take place.