Obituary of Richard A. Koen

Richard A. Koen 88, of Peabody, husband of the late Ethel “Inie” (Inez) Koen with whom he shared 60 years of marriage, died on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 with his family by his side at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Richard was born in Salem on August 21, 1927 son of John and Mary Emma Dora (Gautreau) Koen. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1945. During his high school tenure Richard was a superb athlete and football player and was scouted by many colleges in hopes of recruiting him. He elected to pursue his education at Georgetown University and Holy Cross College before enlisting into the United States Marine Corps in June of 1945, serving as a Military Policeman in Guam prior to receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1949. Richard also re-enlisted into the U.S. Navy Reserve and later into the U.S. Army Reserve. As a civilian, he began his 35 year working career as a lineman for The New England Telephone Company working his way up the chain of command into management prior to his retirement in 1985. Richard devoted his life to creating a home for his family and was very proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments. Richard was a longtime member of the Salem YMCA, where he maintained a special bond and long standing friendship with the early morning workout crew. In addition, he remained friends with many of his former colleagues from The New England Telephone Company. Richard is survived by three sons, Michael Koen and his wife Valerie, John Koen, all of Peabody and Daniel Koen of Groveland; two daughters, Donna Mahaney and her husband James of Marshfield, and Susan Koen; nine grandchildren, Maryellen Weeks, R.J. Mahaney, Andrew, Christopher, Nicholas, Michelle, Casey, Ashley and Jared Koen, and four great grandchildren, Conor, Tyler, Logan and Daniel; his ever loyal Black Labrador, Max and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother John Koen. Richard’s family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, December 21, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 22nd at 9 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 140 Lynn St., Peabody. The family requested that in lieu of flowers contributions be made in Richard’s memory to Wounded Warriors, www.woundedwarriors.org , or to the Northeast Animal Shelter, www.northeastanimalshelter.org , 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.