Search by Name

Search by Name

Dr. Paul Joseph McKenna

1926 - 2019

Dr.  Paul Joseph McKenna obituary, 1926-2019, Out Of State, CT

FUNERAL HOME

Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center

1858 Allen Street

Springfield, Massachusetts

Paul McKenna Obituary

Dr. Paul Joseph McKenna, D.M.D., 93, of Longmeadow, MA, and Palm Beach, FL, entered eternal life on November 8, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. He had a great love of travel, skiing, tennis and the Red Sox and Patriots, but his greatest passions in life were his family, his orthodontic practice, and his faith. He was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and cousin, but he was also an outstanding professional, leader, and friend to many. His lively sense of humor put many of his young patients at ease, and his infectious, boisterous laugh made him easy to pick out in a crowd. He was born in Holyoke, MA, on July 3, 1926, to the late Paul J. and Catherine (McCormick) McKenna. While attending the Cranwell Preparatory School he was selected by the U.S. Navy for the V12 program, an accelerated program to train doctors and dentists during World War II, and sent to Tufts University. Dad earned his college and dental school degrees at Tufts and then graduated with his certificate in orthodontics from the University of Pennsylvania. He returned to Springfield to restart his late father's orthodontic practice but was recalled to active duty in 1950 by the Navy and was stationed first in Newport, RI, and then in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon finishing his commitment to the Navy, he returned to Springfield, married the love of his life, Nancy, and started his family and his practice. To date, his legacy and that of his father lives on with McKenna Orthodontics existing in the Pioneer Valley and beyond for over 100 years. He was a member and held leadership positions in professional organizations and societies such as the American Dental Society, the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Valley District Dental Society, the American Association of Orthodontists, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Board of Overseers, Northeastern Society of Orthodontics, Massachusetts Association of Orthodontics and the American College of Dentists. In 1971 he was honored by the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, MA in recognition of more than 50 years of care that he and his father had delivered to the children of the school. He was heavily involved in local businesses, organizations and societies, such as Western Bank & Trust (founder and member of the Board of Directors), StageWest (as both a founder, president, and member of the Board of Directors), Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, MA (Board of Trustees), the Pioneer Valley United Fund (Campaign Chairman in 1971), the Pioneer Valley Red Cross and the Rotary Club of Springfield (Paul Harris Award Honoree). He was a member of the building committee for the Greenwood Park School Building Committee in Longmeadow, MA. He was a member of the Colony Club of Springfield (where he also served on the Board of Directors), the Century Club of Springfield, the Society of William Rice of the Springfield Museums, the Longmeadow Field Club, the Beach Club of Palm Beach, FL, and the Nantucket Yacht Club. He was a lifetime communicant of St. Mary's Church in Longmeadow, where he served as an altar boy in his youth and then as a lector and member of the Parish Council. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy (Collins) McKenna of Longmeadow and Palm Beach, FL; five devoted children, Dr. Paul J. McKenna and his wife Karen of Simsbury, CT, Timothy G. McKenna and his wife Mary Ellen of Longmeadow, Nancy M. Nichols and her husband Jay of Palm Beach, FL, Dr. Stephen W. McKenna and his wife Ellen of Longmeadow, and Robert D. McKenna of Birmingham, AL; his sister, Catherine Wooters of New Canaan, CT; two brothers: Dr. David J. McKenna and his wife Barbara of Indian River Shores, FL, and John C. McKenna and his wife Nancy Jo of Palm City, FL; his sister-in-law, Rita M. McKenna of West Hartford, CT; ten cherished grandchildren: Paul, Bryant, Alexandra, and Emily McKenna, Catherine McKenna, Jake and Sarah Nichols, and Stephen, Katie, and Caroline McKenna; and three great-grandchildren: Paul, Connor, and Rose McKenna. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, George C. of West Hartford and a granddaughter, Molly. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA. A private burial will follow. Family and friends will gather and remember Dr. McKenna on Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Byron Keenan funeral home, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tufts University School of Dentistry, St Mary's Church in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and to the new Longmeadow Adult Community Center Fund, Inc. in Longmeadow, MA. For additional information please visit www.byronkeenan.com
Published by Hartford Courant on Nov. 12, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul McKenna

Sponsored by the family.

Not sure what to say?





23 Entries

January 3, 2020

Dr. McKenna was my orthodontist, and also my three children. He was a wonderful doctor. I have many fond memories of our visits to his office. My condolences to his family. Sincerely, Michelle Bareiss and family

Jolene Martunas Roberts

December 4, 2019

Dr. McKenna was a wonderful orthodontist, warm, sincere, full of joy, bringing out the best in others. My condolences to the McKenna family.

November 30, 2019

Dear Mrs. McKenna and Family,

I'm very sorry to learn of Dr. McKenna's recent passing. It was great to see him in fine form this past July! He was a valued friend and professional colleague to my father (John McNally)and my uncle (Ed McNally)in their dental practice, and made many contributions to the Springfield area dental community and beyond. Dr. McKenna always struck me as a genuinely happy and accomplished man who delighted in his family and life in general.

John McNally

November 16, 2019

Best orthodontist ever. Laughed every visit. R.I.P. to a beautiful soul. Carole Del Vecchio

Sheila Mulligan Godfrey

November 14, 2019

In addition to straightening my teeth and the majority of my brothers and sisters, I had the privilege of working for Dr. McKenna a few days a week during my high school years. He was always so kind to me and I remember him fondly. He even wrote a lovely college recommendation for me. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Dave Krumsiek

November 14, 2019

He was such an awesome uncle, I feel so lucky to have had him in my life for so long. Love and condolences to Aunt Nancy and all the McKennas.

Exquisite Tribute Standing Spray

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Cherished Farewell Arrangement

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Arno Bommer

November 13, 2019

Paul McKenna was a fine man and a real contributor to the dental profession as were all the McKenna dentists. He will be missed by all.

Arno p. Bommer DMD

November 13, 2019

To the McKenna Family,
May the wonderful memories you have help you through this very difficult time. RIP Dr. McKenna

Vilma Gonzalez-Hoistion

November 12, 2019

To the McKenna Family,
I remember Dr. McKenna as a small girl. His daughter Nancy was a very nice friend thru our elementary yrs. @ Converse St. School, Longmeadow. As to know Dr. McKenna, & his wife, they both have passed down their wonderful & beautiful qualities. Dr. McKenna will surely be missed. Also, to his extended family, I am so sorry. God Bless...

C H

November 12, 2019

I was a patient of Dr. McKenna and later his son in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was a charming man, and 30 years later, my teeth are still straight and healthy. My condolences to his family.

Marty Maynard

November 12, 2019

May Dr. McKenna RIP, I was a patient back in the late 70's, early 80's.

D L

November 12, 2019

I was a patient many years ago and so were my kids. He did excellent work and was such a nice man. RIP

Patty Korman

November 12, 2019

Dr. McKenna was my orthodontist from 1969 to 1971. When I saw his photo, I thought "he looks familiar" My teeth are still straight!! After over 2 years with the braces, I only had 1 cavity. Very nice man and excellent Doctor. PEACE

The Spathiphyllum Plant

Mary-Patricia Bialaski

Sent Flowers

Maureen Weeks

November 12, 2019

My condolences to the McKenna family. Your father, husband was a gift to the Pioneer Valley. He provided orthodontic care to my husband and his family but our children as well, and then through his son. Always upbeat and positive. He leave an imprint that only his family can walk in.

Paul & Michelle Zimakas

November 12, 2019

To the McKenna Family,

Our deepest sympathy.
May his memory be eternal!

Respectfully,

Brian Neville

November 11, 2019

I was a patient of Dr. McKenna when I was age 11, 12 and 13, back in 1957, 1958 and 1959. We would drive up from Wethersfield, Ct every fifth Saturday. Every time I look in the mirror and see my beautiful straight teeth I thought of Dr
McKenna and what a great job he did.
I also remember the beautiful Corvettes he owned and parked on the street outside his office. He was a really great doctor and a cool individual.

November 11, 2019

Dear Nancy,

Bob & I are very sorry to hear of Paul's passing away. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile and a chuckle when we saw him. I am glad I ran into the two of you in Big Y recently, and we had the chance to talk and catch up , you both looked great and it was nice to see you both.

With Deepest Sympathy,
Robin & Bob Richey

Marcia Van der Wolk Daly

November 11, 2019

Dear Nancy and family,

So sorry to hear this.

Not only was he my ortho when I was in high school, but he was one of my favorite people - always smiling! He used to call my father "Donnie" - drove him nuts! Good times...

The Staff of Byron Keenan Funeral Home

November 11, 2019

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

Make a Donation
in Paul McKenna's name

Memorial Events
for Paul McKenna

Nov

14

Visitation

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center

1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA 01118

Nov

15

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

St. Mary's Church

519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center

1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA 01118

How to support Paul's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Paul McKenna's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more