John Aneew Mac Mckeown

John Aneew "Mac" McKeown, age 86, died Wednesday evening, January 26, 2010 at Hock Family Pavilion following a brief illness. Born in Lima, NY on March 21, 1924, he was the son of the late John and Florence Mabel Greer McKeown. John attended Lima High School and graduated from State Uneersity of New York in Albany. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1943-1946. John spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves aneearned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer prior to his retirement. He moved to North Carolina 30 years ago and worked at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 1980-1983 and later at Avila Retreat Center from 1983-1985. He also served on the Avila advisory board. John was a skilled wood worker known for carving beautiful woodeneens and folding tables. He took great delight walking three miles with friends every morning at Northgate Mall and joining them for coffee afterwards for fellowship to "solve the world's problems". John is survived by his loving daughter, Kathleen Biss of Durham, NC; his grandson, Kevin Biss, also of Durham; and his brother, Thomas McKeown of Schenectady, NY. He was preceded ineeath by his wife, Anne Pacyliak; his sister, Mary A. Pacyliak; his son-in-law, Lynn A. Biss; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 1:00 PM Saturday, January 29, 2011 from St. Matthew Catholic Church with Father Dan McLellan, OFM, presiding. A private cremationeeremony will follow at Hall-Wynne Crematory. Burial with military honors will be held later in the week at St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 W. Main St. in Durham. Flowers are acceptable or contributions in John's memory may be made to Avila Retreat Center, 711 Mason Rd., Durham, NC 27712. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries. Arrangements for the McKeown family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.