Richard M. Deneen

MILLERTON — Richard M. Deneen, 89, a 40-year resident of Millerton, formerly of North Canaan and Lakeville, died March 4, 2013, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. Mr. Deneen was the director of the physical plant at Salisbury School for more than 30 years before retiring in 1988.He was born Sept. 20, 1923, in Sharon, the son of the late Katherine (O’Dwyer) and Patrick Joseph Deneen. He was a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Mr. Deneen served his country honorably in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. On Aug. 5, 1972, at Saint Patrick’s parish in Millerton, he married Christine Piechula Murphy. Mrs. Deneen survives at home. Mr. Deneen was a former village trustee with the village of Millerton, a charter member of the Lakeville VFW, past president and life member of the Millerton Lions Club, serving as their president from 1976 to1978 and from 1996 to 1998, and he was the project coordinator of the Village Flag Project, which was started in the 1970s and continues today. In 2001 he was named the Millerton Lions Club Man of the Year. He also was an avid reader and scrapbooker, who enjoyed gardening. He adored and loved spending time with all of his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Valerie DeCelle, and her husband, Richard, of Springfield, Mass., Patrick Deneen, and his wife, Ann, of Millerton, Ann Grabowski, and her husband, Richard, of Manchester, Conn., and Debra Carroll, and her husband, Joseph, of North Canaan; his 12 grandchildren; four great-gandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his first wife, Francis (Hines) Deneen, who died April 15, 1970; his daughter, Sandy Murphy Wheeler; and six sisters.Arrangements are under the care of the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 7, at 10 a.m. at Church of St. Mary in Lakeville, the Rev. Joseph G. M. Kurnath officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Millerton Fire Company and Rescue Squad, PO Box 733, Millerton, NY 12546. For directions or to leave an online condolence go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com.