Obituary of Bernard Emmitt McKean

Bernard “Barney” “Joe” E. McKean, 86, of Ashtabula, OH passed away on Friday, December 27th, 2019 at his home in Saybrook, OH. Barney was born on August 4th, 1933 in Buffalo, NY to Robert and Marian (Bloomster) McKean. Barney grew up in Smethport, PA. He graduated from Smethport Area High School in Smethport, PA in 1951. After high school he joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served for 5 years. He served in the Korean War and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Metal, the Korean Service Metal, and United Nations Service Metal. He was in the 4676th Air Base Squadron and when deployed was stationed in Kimpo Air Base, Korea just outside Seoul, Korea. He was discharged in 1956 achieving the rank of Airman First Class. Barney began work for Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) as a Fireman, was promoted to an Engineer, then later promoted to a Road Foreman Supervisor. He worked for Conrail for 38 years and retired in 1998. Barney married Beverly (Broadbent) on July 11th, 1970 in Wanakah, NY. They were happily married for 49 ½ years. Barney was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish where he previously served as an usher and volunteer of the Lenten fish fry dinners. Barney was an experienced Samoyed dog handler traveling nationally to dog shows throughout North America who achieved numerous championships for the working group class of the Samoyed breed. He was a registered breeder of Samoyeds with the American Kennel Club. Barney was a certified watchmaker and a member of the American Watch Association who performed restoration and repairs on pocket watches and clocks. Barney was also a watchmaker teacher who trained others in this trade. Barney loved this hobby and often attended watch shows as well as accumulated an extensive antique pocket watch collection. Barney was a member of Maple Ridge Golf Course and local traveling golf league. Barney enjoyed fishing, golfing, bird watching, scenic drives, riding his adult tricycle, collecting antiques and glassware, attending many auctions, spending time with family, attending church and praying his rosary. Barney was preceded in death by his father Robert McKean, mother Marian (Bloomster) McKean, siblings Robert McKean, Doris (McKean) Maynard, James McKean, Thomas McKean, children Deloris (McKean) Benson, James McKean. Barney is survived by his wife Beverly of Saybrook, OH; his daughters Evelyn (Christopher) Mack of Saybrook, OH and Cynthia Kopper of Batavia, NY; his sibling William (Judith) McKean of Smethport, PA; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1pm on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 1200 E 21st St., Ashtabula with Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 5pm to 8pm at Zaback Williams Ducro Funeral Home, 500 West Prospect St. Ashtabula on Friday, January 3rd, 2020. Burial of cremated remains will be at a later time in Smethport, PA. Memorial contributions may be made in Bernard McKean’s name to Hospice of the Western Reserve Ashtabula County or Our Lady of Peach Parish in Ashtabula. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.