Rev. Colin McKenna

McKenna, Rev. Colin
Rev. Colin McKenna, age 51, of Wilton, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2015. Born in Bridgeport, the son of Winifred (Tona) McKenna and the late Eugene R. McKenna, he was a Westport native and had been a lifelong area resident. Colin graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1982 and the University of Vermont in 1986. While at Prep he was a Co-Captain of the Prep Swim Team. An avid swimmer, he also coached the swim team at New Fairfield High School and was the Aquatic Director at the New Canaan YMCA. Colin earned his Masters of Divinity from Pope Saint John XXIII Seminary in Weston, MA, in 1999, and was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. Edward Egan, the third Bishop of Bridgeport, in 1999. Rev. McKenna's first assignment was Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph's Parish in Shelton. He also served at St. Roch Parish in Greenwich, Sacred Heart in Georgetown, and St. Mary Parish in Greenwich, and also assisted at many other parishes within the Diocese. For the past two years Rev. McKenna served as a writer and editor in the communications office of the Diocese of Bridgeport while still assisting local parishes celebrating weekend Masses. Colin had a great interest in general knowledge, and in 2001 he was thrilled to participate in ABC Television's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," which he considered to be the thrill of a lifetime. He was also an avid writer, often penning op-ed pieces for local newspapers; he also wrote and published a book of op-eds that he had sent to the New York Times. He loved animals of all kinds and often adopted pets that needed homes. Colin will be fondly remembered as a kind and gentle priest who loved his ministry and helping others. Survivors in addition to his mother Tona include his brother, Gene McKenna, and Gene's wife, Moon, of Fairfield, and a host of cousins in both the United States and Ireland. Rev. McKenna will be received at St. Augustine's Cathedral on Monday, September 14th, at 2:00 p.m. where he will lie in state until 5:00 p.m. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated Monday at 5:00 p.m. with the Rev. Msgr. William Scheyd as celebrant and the Rev. Robert Crofut as homilist. Calling hours will be at St. Augustine Cathedral Tuesday, September 15th, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Rev. Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport as main celebrant and homilist. Interment will follow in the Priest Circle at St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Rev. McKenna may be made to Clergy Support through Catholic Charities, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com