Wallingford - Veikko E. McKeen, 89, of Wallingford, beloved husband of Helene (Tuttle) McKeen, departed this life on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at his home. Veikko was born on December 13, 1917, in West Paris, ME, son of the late Renne and Saara (Pikkarainen) Mikkonen. In his younger years he worked until 1948 as a Dairy Farmer. He began working in 1952 as a Machinist with Pratt & Whitney where he retired in 1979. He belonged to the Finnish-American Heritage Society of Maine, Silver Squares square-dancing group, and Wallingford Camera Club. He was also an avid bowler and enjoyed traveling overseas. In his spare time he enjoyed woodworking, making everything from kitchen cabinets to folk instruments by hand. He was an extremely creative man, who loved learning new things. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 60 years, Helene McKeen, of Wallingford. His five beloved children: Laurence McKeen and his wife Linda of NJ, David McKeen and his wife Virginia of MD, Valerie Gwara and her husband Paul of Meriden, CT, Rebecca Perrone and her husband Thomas of Wallingford, and Aili McKeen and her husband Bruce Conroy Jr. of Wallingford. He also leaves his brother R. Rudolf McKeen of ME, along with six grandchildren: Erica McKeen Bourgeois, Marika McKeen, Lindsey McKeen, Andrew McKeen, Michael McKeen, and Steven McKeen. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call on Friday, November 9th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the B.C. Bailey Funeral, 273 S. Elm Street, Wallingford. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, November 10th at 10:00 AM at B.C. Bailey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, ***. To leave a message of hope and remembrance or for directions please visit ww.BCBailey.com