Donald J. McKendry, 89, Retired VP, Foss Manufacturing

Donald_McKendryDonald J. McKendry, 89, formerly of Plaistow, N.H., and Melrose, passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, at South Bay Hospital in Sun City Center, Fla.

He was born March 4, 1927, in Philadelphia, Penn., the son of the late Archibald and Sarah (Roberts) McKendry. McKendry was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s High School, Philadelphia, 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 to 1952. He was a member of the Plaistow Planning Board, Rockingham County Planning Commission and Plaistow Lions Club. He enjoyed classical music, reading history, solving puzzles and going for walks. McKendry was the vice president of research and development with Foss Manufacturing, Hampton, N.H.. where he was also employed as a chemist for more than 25 years before retiring and settling in Sun City Center, Fla., with his wife Beverly.

He is survived by his wife Beverly (Duplisse) McKendry of Sun City Center, Fla.; children, Charles D. and Jennifer McKendry of Cary, N.C., Donna E. McKendry Angell of Haverhill, Mary E. and Ronald R. LaFrance of Hampstead, N.H., Jean E. McKendry and Gary E. Machlis of Central, S.C., and Paul G. and Beth A. McKendry, of Plaistow, N.H.; 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; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by the mother of his children Helen M. (Courtenay) McKendry.

Visitation takes place Sunday, Feb. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill. A memorial mass will be celebrated Monday, 11 a.m., from Saint Luke The Evangelist Church, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow, N.H. A private springtime burial is planned.