JOHN MCKENNA Obituary

McKenna, John A true son of Boston, John died on October 17, 2015 after a long illness surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born in Roxbury to Evelyn (Howe) McKenna and John J. McKenna, II on April 7, 1944, he lived his adult life in Boston's South End. John was a man of action whose life was rooted in fairness and justice. In Kathe (Sullivan) his wife of 49 years, John found a kindred spirit and partner. When they saw men sleeping in doorways in the South End in the mid 1960's, they provided hospitality, inviting men to sleep in their living room. When the need to feed, clothe and shelter homeless men exceeded the space in their apartment on Upton Street, together with like-minded friends, they purchased 23 Dartmouth Street and founded Haley House of Hospitality. The new non-profit now had a home, but it also had bills, so John, with pick and shovel in hand, dug graves at Brook Farm cemetery, giving his paycheck to Haley House. Founded as a simple Catholic Worker soup kitchen, Haley House currently serves homeless and marginalized individuals in 100+ units of affordable housing in the South End and two social enterprises in Roxbury, Haley House Bakery Café and Dudley Dough. While a student at Holy Cross College, and under the threat of expulsion, he joined Dr. Martin Luther King's 1965 Civil Rights March from Selma to Montgomery. Hosted by an African-American host family, John was picked up by the police on his way to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, locked in a bus with other demonstrators to prevent their participation. John and Kathe honeymooned on James Meredith's "March Against Fear." His responsibility was to walk the perimeter to intervene with night-riders. John also took a firm stance against the war in Vietnam, registering as a conscientious objector in 1967. He was jailed in 1968 and 1969 in anti-war demonstrations. In order to support his family, John became an MBTA police officer. He explained that someone had "to protect the women and children." He served for 20 years and became head of the patrolmen's association. While on the force he put himself through law school. Stoop-sitting, a South End tradition is for most an opportunity to enjoy a quiet place to chat. But for John the stoop was also his study hall. After his overnight MBTA shift, John could be found on his steps, law books in hand, preparing for class at Suffolk Law School. The method worked as he passed the bar on his first try and practiced law for 14 years. Gov. Weld appointed him to an administrative law judgeship in 1992. John eventually went back to providing direct care to homeless individuals and families at Pine Street Inn and Sojourner House. For more than 20 years, John served as an officer and board member for COMPASS. There, his wisdom and integrity helped guide and grow COMPASS from a small school to a multi-service organization for youth and poor families. John was a fierce athlete. Be it rugby in Somerville, squash in Roxbury, softball in Brighton or a run around Castle Island, there was no need for stretching or warming up, for there was a game to be played. Unfortunately, his whole-hearted participation in rugged sports would significantly diminish his health later in life. With multiple jobs and four daughters, John was not one to rest. They once posted a cartoon on their refrigerator entitled "Dad on Vacation." It depicted a man watching a vacation scene on TV. John graduated from Boston College High School (1961), Holy Cross College (1965), Boston Police Academy (1970) and Suffolk Law School (1978). John's accomplishments are only overshadowed by his love for his family for they were his pride and joy. In addition to his wife Kathe, John leaves his daughters Tamara McKenna, Johanna McCarthy, Molly Canick and Brigid McCaffrey; his sons-in-law: Thomas Brown, Simon Canick, and Kevin McCaffrey; his grandchildren: Oscar, Lucy, Beatrice, Miles, Sam, Reilly, Finn and Amalia; his sisters Joan Beth Condon and Maureen Horn, and his brothers in-law: Robert Condon and David Horn and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, December 5. Donations in John's memory can be made to Haley House, 23 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116.

Published by Boston Globe from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN MCKENNA

Not sure what to say?





I am Joseph Amoroso and I worked with John McKenna when I was with the MBTA Transit Police Department in Boston, Massachusetts. John was a very quiet man who became an Attorney and later worked with the homeless men at the Pine Street Inn, in Boston. He was a wonderful man and friend, and I hope his family is doing okay.

Joseph Amoroso

Coworker

October 14, 2019

Dear Kathe,
I wish I'd known John. He sounds like a wonderful person, so dedicated in so many ways and for so long. I'll be thinking of you and your family on Saturday. It must feel very strange to be without him.
Much love to you, Jane B.

December 3, 2015

Dear (((Kathe))) I am so sad to hear of John's passing. I bumped into Diana Lopez today at the climate march and she told me. May his memory be a blessing. I wish I had known him. He sounds very wonderful. xoxox <3

November 30, 2015

I am sorry to hear of John's passing. I worked with John at the T Police and remember him fondly. My sincere condolences to his family.

Robert Don

October 29, 2015

John and I along with the 35 of us were sworn in as MBTA police officers on May 17, 1971. For those of you who did not know John he was one of the finest PO on the T Police. I had the opportunity to work with John on several occasions but his steady partner was Tony Flammia. John had a liberal side but he was very conservative as a police officer. His size never stopped him attacking any situation that he was presented. The assailant could be 5' tall or 7' tall did not stop the 5'8" John from jumping into either effect an arrest or assist. I am honored to have known him and to have worked with him. John and his family will always be remembered in my prayers.

October 22, 2015

John and I were hired on the same day and sworn in as MBTA Police Officers. We worked many shifts together over the course of 20 years and I came to love him as a friend and mentor. Rest in peace my brother.

October 22, 2015

I knew John from when we both started on the police force and I'll always remember him as a true gentlemen, extremely gifted and a great humanitarian who obviously devoted his life to his family and those less fortunate in need. I'm sorry that I lost contact with John after he left the department and didn't realize all that he had accomplished and although it doesn't surprise me his loss will be felt by all who knew him. John may you rest in peace, your tasks have been fulfilled and I'm proud to say I knew and served with John McKenna.

Peter Shaughnessy

October 22, 2015

I knew John from when we started on the police force in 1971 and back then we all questioned why John, a Holy Cross graduate would want a job patrolling the subway system but we soon learned that John was a gentleman who was sincere in helping those less fortunate. IN hindsight I regret not staying in contact with John and marvel at what he accomplished after he left the department. I'm truly saddened by his death but I'm proud to say that I knew and worked with John,a gentlemen, a truly gifted individual, a fierce competitor and a great humanitarian who will be missed.

Peter Shaugessy

October 22, 2015

I had the distinct pleasure to have worked with John as an MBTA Police Officer. He was always a there for any advice and a great police officer. John worked with the homeless and was quite a gifted man who loved his family. Rest in Peace my friend. Joe "Rico" Amoroso

Joeph Amoroso

October 21, 2015

Dear Kathe;

Scott and I were saddened to read of John's passing. What a rich, generous, and inspiring life.We are so grateful to know of his witness. You and the family will be in our prayers.
God bless, Claire and Scott Schaeffer-Duffy

Claire Schaeffer-Duffy

October 21, 2015

Boston (and the rest of the world) lost a wonderful and selfless man. My condolences to his family and friends.

Larry and Ellen Vollor

October 21, 2015

John and Kathe extended incredible warmth, love, and hospitality every time I crossed the Montgomery Street threshold, with a welcome into their lives, that great house, taking the time to engage thoughtfully and with great fun, sharing in conversations on all manner of things, the ways of the world, architecture and design, movies, neighborhood goings-on, South End and Haley House history. I will forever be inspired by the McKenna's commitment to bettering the lives of others and their selflessness. I only wish I met John decades earlier. Lots of love to Kathe, Tamara, Molly, Johanna, and Brigid and all John's adored grandchildren. He will be much missed.

Katherine Petrin

October 21, 2015

A wonderful life of service to those in need. A true example of what can be accomplished with good intention and hard work (and a great partner on the path).
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Kathe, and your family.

Ken Bent

October 21, 2015

So sorry for your loss. We all lost one of the nicest guys that I have met and Had the chance to work with for twenty years of more.
Paul Sandefur, MBTA PD, retired

October 21, 2015

Joan-Beth McKenna Condon

October 21, 2015

My career as an MBTA police officer was cut short as a result of injury. The short time that I new John was refreshing, he was a good guy.
I am sadden by your loss.

Terry Gallivan
MBTA PD retired 1985
Palm Coast, Fl

October 21, 2015

Kathe and family. We are very sad to learn of John's passing. We loved that guy!
Bill Brackett
President
MBTA Transit Police
Retirees Association
[email protected]

Bill & Betty Brackett

October 21, 2015

To Tamara, Molly, Brigid, and Johanna we're sorry to hear the news of your father's passing. Especially to Johanna, it is so unfair you've suffered losses twice in such a short time. We love you all,
Cary and Peggi

Cary and Peggi Wendell and McCarthy

October 20, 2015

...Haley House,the Catholic Worker,and the McKenna's were a Great Inspiration to my Dad,Bill Mulrennan...Thoughts and Prayers to All...

Kathy Solorzano

October 20, 2015

Thank you for sharing your life in such a manner that uplifted those around you and for helping to model what true service in the City of Boston can look like.

October 20, 2015

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