Lyndsey A. Keene of Canton, CT, beloved brother of Patsy Keene of New Hartford, and nephew Robert Keene Jahn, passed away suddenly on September 14, 2016. Both Lyndsey and Patsy were born and raised in New York City. In the early 1960's their parents, Michael and Margaret Keene moved temporarily to Beverly Hills, CA where his Dad was involved in the film industry. During that time, young Lyndsey decided to dabble in show business himself and had a great time rubbing elbows with the Hollywood crowd. After two years Lyndsey and his parents returned to New York City. During a summertime school break, Lyndsey went to Moodus, CT for a summer job in Connecticut. When the summer was over, Lyndsey decided to remain in Connecticut and eventually landed in the Avon area. Soon after arriving in Avon, Lyndsey opened a gas station where he met his future wife, Barbara Rudder. Barbara drove into the gas station one day to fill up her little foreign Fiat. When Lyndsey finished pumping her gas, Barbara told Lyndsey she was going to marry him. Lyndsey said "that sounds good to me" and that was that. (true story!). They had fabulous marriage for over 20 years until Barbara passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a school teacher in the Canton School System for many years and a recipient of the "Teacher of the Year" award several times. Lyndsey and Barbara settled in North Canton and Lyndsey sold the gas station. Since he always had a strong interest in German made automobiles, he went to Stuttgart, Germany, where he studied the mechanics involved in the manufacture and maintenance of Mercedes, Volkswagens, Audi's and Porsche's. When he returned from Germany, he opened a business called "KARS" which specialized as an "Unauthorized" dealer of German automobiles. It was located in the old Collins Company Factory compound in Collinsville. KARS developed into a bustling and popular place to bring your Mercedes, etc. when they needed help. Lyndsey always had a large and entertaining staff, all well trained in the business of getting his clients back on the road, and sometimes they might find a cup of coffee and a muffin on their front seats when they went to pick up their cars. Everyone who worked there said that KARS was the best place in the world to work and that Lyndsey was the best Boss! Well known as being the "couple about town", Lyndsey and Barbara were deeply involved in the Canton Benefit Theatre Group. Lyndsey became well known for his portrayal of "FAGIN" in the CB production of Oliver Twist. Lyndsey was also much appreciated as a benefactor and supporter of the arts and a member of the Gallery-on-The-Green for many years. As a couple, they were well known for their love of entertaining. The attendance at their parties were always jammed to the ceilings, and as such were often referred to as Lyndsey and Ba's sardine parties ... They moved from Wright Road in North Canton to Cherry Brook Road, purchasing one of the first contemporary solar powered homes, which was often open to public tours. During the summer months, they traveled extensively and made many trips exploring Europe, the UK, and their favorite, the South of France, and Nottinghamshire, UK where they made many friends, returning each year to spend time with their new-found friends. These return visits eventually developed into lifelong friendships. Lyndsey and Barbara also had hundreds lifelong Canton friends and they often traveled together to many countries such as Peru and other South American countries. A fun life! In 1996 Barbara passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was buried in the Riverside Cemetery on River Road in Pleasant Valley, Barkhamsted. It is almost 20 years to the day that now Lyndsey will be joining Barbara in that same Rudder Family plot.
The service will be Saturday, October 15th at 10:30am at the Riverside Cemetery, located behind the United Methodist Church at 93 River Road in the Pleasant Valley Area of Barkhamsted, Ct.
Please join in saying goodbye to my brother Lyndsey. He expects all his friends to be there to help him find his way to the afterlife where he is sure Barbara will be waiting for him. Lyndsey will be waiting for you to wish him a happy journey ....