MILO- Bernard Wilbur Kinney of Milo, Maine, passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, on December 31, 2017, at the age of 91. Bernie, as he liked to be called, was the son of the late Wilbur and Helen Kinney. He is survived by his wife, Lois E. Kinney; his siblings, Phyllis Smith of Atkinson, Maine and Wayne Kinney and his wife Leni of Worcester, Massachusetts; and his five children and their spouses, Joel Kinney and his wife Sandy of Aurora, North Carolina, Jonathan Kinney and his wife Rena of Limington, Maine, Cheryl Purdie of Victoria, British Columbia, Randall Kinney and his wife Michelle of Rockland, Ontario, and Calvin Kinney and his wife Linda of Bangor, Maine. Bernie was also a proud grandfather to ten grandchildren: Elise and her husband Jonathan, Sarah, Cara, Hilary, Blake, Ryan A., Ryan R., Brandon, Sean, Eric, and one great-grandson, Griffin. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Lois W. Kinney, and his brother, Calvin Kinney, of Atkinson, Maine.
After graduating from Foxcroft Academy in 1944, Bernie served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and then attended the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1954. During his long and distinguished career as an environmental testing engineer, he participated in the development of satellites for the U.S. Government on the Corona Project and for the Canadian Government on the Canada Arm Project for the space shuttle program. Bernie was also a proud member of the Mason's Piscataquis Lodge No. 44, a lifelong member of the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
During his long retirement, he enjoyed spending his summers at the family camp on Boyd Lake in Ornville, Maine. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and was still deer hunting this past fall. Bernie remained very active, walking every day, and still tackling all the projects at his home. In his downtime, he also enjoyed reading, solving difficult crossword puzzles, and watching old western movies. He lived life to the fullest and will be dearly missed.
The family would like to thank the caring medical staff at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, for providing Bernie with great compassion and care during his final days. A celebration of Bernie’s life and interment of his ashes will take place this summer in Atkinson, Maine, the date is yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bernie's memory may be made to the Mercy Healthcare Foundation:
Online: https://emhsfoundation.org/mercy-donation
Mercy Healthcare Foundation
P.O. Box 679
Portland, ME 04104
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com