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BORN
1936
DIED
2018
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William McKenna Obituary
William P. McKenna, 82, of Old Saybrook, CT, formerly of Middletown, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2018 surrounded by his wife of 55 years, Patricia McKenna, and his loving family. Besides his wife, Bill's legacy will be carried out by his four children, Colleen Cudgma and her husband Dan of Hingham, MA, Cathy McKenna of West Hartford, CT, Erin DeToro of Portland, CT, and William McKenna and his wife Amanda of Middletown, CT, along with his "5th" daughter, Kristie Gallitto of Old Saybrook, CT. "Grampy" was idolized by this 12 grandchildren; Daniel, McKenna and Maeve Cudgma, Stevie, Luke, and Jack DeToro, Shaelyn and Quintin White, Grace, William Jr., Katie-Faith, and Ellie McKenna. Bill is survived by his brother in law, Gene Nocera, along with several nieces and nephews. Born in Saskatchewan Canada on December 8, 1936 son of Kathleen (Cousins) and Daniel McKenna. He was predeceased by his four sisters Shirley Drinkwater, Pat Lane, Helen Joseph, and Linda Nocera, as well as his son-in-law, Steven DeToro. Bill was a graduate of Middletown High School. He attended both St. Thomas and St. Mary's Seminary as well as receiving a Master's Degree from the University of Hartford. After college Bill dedicated 40 years of his life to Xavier High School where he was a teacher, administrator, and coach. During those years, Bill took great pride in carrying out the Xavier motto "Be a Man". Bill's leadership, compassion and tough love left a permanent impression on the Xavier community and the many lives he touched. After he retired, Bill went back to teaching and helping out at Mercy High School before spending 5 years as the Headmaster of St. Bernard's High School. Bill was extremely passionate about Catholic Education which he continued to support until his passing. Bill's legacy will forever be that of a gentleman, a family man and a man of faith. Bill's best times were spent with his family and close friends, attending sporting events of his children and grandchildren and hosting family celebrations at his Cornfield Point home. Everyone that knew Bill understood his love of dessert, especially ice cream. Grampy's candy drawer and the freezer were always stocked with the grandchildren's favorite treats. Bill was an avid reader, grammatical genius and the family proofreader. To honor his wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be on Wednesday Jan. 2nd at 11 a.m. at St. John's Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT. In lieu, of flowers and to continue Bill's support of Catholic education, memorial donations may be made to Mercy and Xavier High Schools of Middletown, CT. Biega Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. To share memories or express condolences online please visit
www.biegafuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William McKenna
Sponsored by MiddletownPress.com.
Terry
January 4, 2020
good guy time flys bye
Rich Scanlon
January 3, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing in this month's edition of the Xavier magazine. He was such an inspiration to me (and to many others as I've read). One of my favorite memories is being excited to go driving with him as he taught me Religious Ed. Every time we went he would make me laugh so hard it's amazing I was able to keep the car on the road. Great man with a great family -- His family is a testament to his character. I will keep Bill and the Mckenna family in my prayers.
Ken Fredericks
August 24, 2019
Bill you will be greatly missed we had some great times . Love you my friend
Shawn Joseph
June 9, 2019
I am sorry aunt patty.
Bob McMahon
January 10, 2019
Sorry to hear of the passing of mr. McKenna. I had the good fortune to have been a student in his English class at xhs. I learned more about life than Shakespeare in his class. He was a great teacher,role model and motivator. My condolences to the McKenna family.
January 10, 2019
A fine man, good sense of humor (he needed it with us), a sterling role model. I remember him fondly.
Tom Murphy Class of '68
Paul Tokarz
January 10, 2019
I attended Xavier from 87 to 91 and recall Mr. McKenna as being a very kind man. I took drivers ed from him and so got to know him a bit in class and on our drives. I was actually a bit of a tentative driver initially especially on Route 9 so I remember him saying Goose it up! To me on more than one occasion. I also remember how he was kind enough to plan our drives such that he would drop me off at my after-school job when our lessons were done. Rest In Peace, sir!- Paul Tokarz
January 8, 2019
My heart and condolences go out to the McKenna family. When I first met Mr. McKenna, I was a confused young man at Xavier High School.
He taught me that I wasn't alone, and never would be. He taught me so much more, by example, years later when I worked construction at Connecticut Yankee with him more than a decade later. Yes, he had many talents.
He was a teacher, a coach, an inspiration, and a friend to me. I'm just blessed to have had his acquaintance, his attention, and his ability to reach out to befriend me. He is the salt of this earth. Rest in Peace, my friend. You made this world better than you found it.
Sandy & Jack Zajac
January 7, 2019
Pat, Billy and Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the recent loss of your husband and father. When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. What wonderful memories we have of Bill at Xavier. He was a great mentor to our son, Christopher, and the special relationship you both had with the students was incredible. We are all blessed to have the privilege of knowing and loving Bill. God bless!
January 7, 2019
To the McKenna family
Sorry to hear about Bill, He was and has been influential in my life.
Always had a few words to say to get you on the right path
To this day I have met some of my best friends waiting to speak with
him in those chairs outside his office (Johnny Pop, Peter Rock and myself).
May God bless him and his family and may he rest in peace.
Philip Nettis (class of 1980)
Command Sergeant Major, Ret. Jack Botti '72 and Family
January 6, 2019
Mrs. McKenna and Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Bill. As many have already stated, Bill was a Great Man; he instilled in many of us the meaning "Be A Man" and in many different ways. He took a individual interest in all of us, be it a teacher, coach, disciplinarian, mentor....
Thank you and May God Bless you Bill,
Irene Watson
January 6, 2019
Mr. McKenna was my driver ed teacher when I was a student at Mercy High School. He was such a kind and patient teacher as he taught us on the road driver's training. I'm sure there were times he wished he was in another line of work! My sympathies to all of his family who have lost a wonderful presence in their lives.
January 4, 2019
Kindly accept our most heartfelt condolences. Mr. McKenna was truly a great teacher,coach and person. Seb Emanuele
Tom Byrne (Class of 1980)
January 4, 2019
Patty and Family, Bill was an amazing person, mentor, teacher, and friend. I remember his strong leadership, his great compassion, and his wonderful laugh. He always had a way of making every day brighter. He will surely be missed. There is no doubt he will be in your hearts forever. God Bless.
Eileen Lussier
January 4, 2019
Patty & family:
You all are in our thoughts & prayers at this time. A good man, fantastic educator, & so personable. Our sons had the privilege of his guidance at XHS, while we knew him as a Dad with our daughtes at Mercy. Whenever we saw him in CT, he'd ask if we had more XHS students to come, and was happy when we had grandsons attend.
You definitely have Bill as an Angel watching over all of you.
Roger & Eileen Lussier
(formerly Portland CT)
john kostacopoulos
January 3, 2019
Mr. McKenna had many gifts which he shared with all those who lucky enough to know him. Two of these were the ability to get teenage boys to listen to him, the other was to share his knowledge of how to be happy and successful in life. I know there any many former Xavier high students whose lives are much better because of him.
john kostacopoulos
January 3, 2019
Mr. McKenna had many gifts that he shared with those lucky enough to come in contact with him, two of the greatest were the ability to make teenage boys listen and the great knowledge of how to be a success in life which he shared with them.
January 3, 2019
My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during your time of sorrow. (Psalm 145:19)
tim feshler
January 3, 2019
Patty, Billy, Colleen and family - Shelly and I pass along our condolences on Bill's passing. I loved Bill McKenna - he believed in me and had a tremendous impact on my development as a man, husband, father, teacher and coach.I am forever grateful that our paths crossed and work hard every day to pay forward all the lessons he taught me.
Tim Feshler
Nick andSarah Milano
January 2, 2019
Patty,May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Andrea Tosto
January 2, 2019
Billy and family,
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Keep your dad alive in your heart, your thoughts, and your memories.
Guido Abramo (class of '55)
January 2, 2019
Sincere condolences. I'm sure that the Lord has reserved a special place for Bill.
Karen Kiley
January 2, 2019
Dearest McKenna Family,
I am thinking of all of you during this incredibly difficult time. Bill was one of a kind and his memory will live on through each one of you always and forever. Sending my love and condolences to all of you.
Love,
-Karen
Pete and Hans Brings
January 2, 2019
Sorry to hear about Mr. McKenna. My condolences Bill to your family from ours. Mr. McKenna was our Vice Principle at Xavier and he was our driver's ed teacher. I remember he used to say, "everyone is in a rush to go nowhere" as he was teaching me how to drive. I have such respect for him. I imagine he was a great coach also. He left an impression on all of us at Xavier who knew him and he will be missed.
January 2, 2019
PAT & family,
Such sadness. So sorry for the loss of an exceptional man. My children
had the privilege of being under his influence at Xavier. He added so much to so many.
Layne O Xenelis
Shaun McDonough
January 1, 2019
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I had him as an English teacher over fifty years ago at Xavier and ran into him from time to time a on a few occasions over the years. Unfortunately in recent times that was generally at someone else's wake or funeral. Bill was dedicated to education and the thing I will probably remember best about him was his sense of humor. I last saw him about two years ago and I told him at that point that hopefully he would be around for many more years. That was not to be and the world is poorer for that. My deepest condolences to all his family.
Toni & Rick Cubeta
January 1, 2019
Our hearts are broken that we are unable to be with all of you. Bill meant the world to us. We will cherish the memories of lazy summer afternoons sitting under our tree, chatting, laughing, and eating , and our once a week movie night! Love and prayers to everyone.
Joanne Sampieri
January 1, 2019
Patty and family,
My heartfelt condolences to all of you. Bill was a wonderful person on so many levels, his legacy will be a comfort to all of you just knowing what he meant to so many. My memories of our families together at Cornfield Point certainly make me grateful to have grown up in fantastic company.
Josie Smith
January 1, 2019
So sorry to hear about Bill. He was one great guy, Made our high school days fun. Josie & Bob Smith, Naples FL
Joseph LaBella
January 1, 2019
To the McKenna family and friends. Please accept our condolences at this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
December 31, 2018
Very sorry for the lost of your loved one May God the hearer of prayers comfort you during this difficult time and give you strength. 2 cor. 1:4
Joe Barone
December 31, 2018
To the McKenna family,
Mr McKenna was a great person he was always there to help you in good times and bad times. Like I told his son Biily the other day if it was not for him I would of never made it through Xavier.He made me who I am today! I loved that man he always told u how it was even if u did not like to hear it
God bless the McKenna family he will truly be missed
December 31, 2018
Rembering the good old days at MHS class of 1955. Rest in Peace.
Jim Cannata
Larry Botting
December 31, 2018
McKenna Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of your recent loss.We wanted to let you know we were thinking of you.
On behalf of the entire membership of the Middletown Police Alumni Association, we offer our deepest condolences for the passing of your loved one William P. McKenna. We offer you our most sincerest thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Larry Botting, President
Middletown Police Alumni Association
David and Luanna Russo
December 31, 2018
Are thoughts and prayers are with the McKenna family.
Karen Dunn-Palozie
December 31, 2018
I am very sorry for your loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather, Bill. I remember all the wonderful times at the beach and Bill's loving kidding of Grace. I know he was very loved and will be greatly missed by all of you.
Sr. Annette D'Antonio
December 31, 2018
So loving and kind! A gentle man with strong character! He touched so many lives. I am proud to call him friend.
John Robinson
December 31, 2018
Bill, Gene & Family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. McKenna. The greater Middletown area has lost one of the great Citizens of our times. His Legacy will certainly live on well into the future. May the good Lord be with the family at such a time as this.
Mike McKenna
December 31, 2018
Dear Patricia and family:
I want to extend my deepest sympathy on your loss. I knew Bill from my four years at Xavier High between 1969 and 1973. He was, without a doubt, one of the finest men I have ever known. I got to know him well my Senior year when he taught at the first Xavier Leadership Institute held at the old Xavieran brothers seminary in Newton Highlands, MA. He taught me that true leadership brings out the greatness in a people. I have never forgotten the wisdom of this truth and I thank Bill for showing it to me.
Please know Bill and you will always be in my prayers.
God bless.
Mike McKenna 73
Terry O'rourke
December 31, 2018
r i p
December 31, 2018
Many hugs and prayers from our family to all of you during this very difficult time of sadness and great loss. So many wonderful memories over the years. Our love - The Gilchrest Family
Richard Cadorath
December 30, 2018
I was very lucky to have had Bill as a teacher, coach and friend. He has done so much good. Our prayers are with you all.
Francis Pawlowski, Class of 1967
December 30, 2018
Coach McKenna was a man of integrity, positive values, and honesty. Coach always said what was on his mind and he conveyed his feelings and opinions in a very straightforward manner. Our paths did not cross very often during my four academic years at Xavier, but I had a great deal of respect for him and admired how he treated everyone with class and dignity. He didn't talk a lot, but I always knew where he stood on any issue. He was direct without "talking down" anyone, and that was one of his best personal characteristics.
Kate and Seth Spector
December 30, 2018
Dear Pat and family, Seth and I are sad to hear of Bill's passing. He is remembered warmly and with wonderful memories.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May his soul rest in peace.
Love to you all.
Mike Frey
December 30, 2018
He was a friend and mentor. Bill cared for every person he came in contact with. We should all strive to be like him in what we say and do. I am a better person because of him and because of his wife Patty. Their family is remarkable. Bill, you and your family will always be in our prayers. May God bless you. Rest in peace my friend. Mike Frey
Kevin Kelly
December 29, 2018
Memories go back 50 years To Xavier, RIP
Ed Annino
December 29, 2018
Truly a great man. I not only had him as a teacher at Xavier (1965 - 69), I also had him and his family as my neighbor for a while on Johnson St. Sincere condolences to Pat and the entire family.
Bro.. Jim Connolly, C.F.X.
December 29, 2018
Patty and family,
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you mourn the loss of a loving husband and Dad.
Bill was a true Christian Gentleman and Christian Educator. I continue to cherish my memories of my 1st
Mission as a Xaverian Brother and how Bill was a key part of that Mission...Bill enfleshed Xaviers Motto Be a Man.
May he rest in the Peace of Christ His Lord and Brother and May Gods Consoling Spirit be with you all during the
coming days and months.
Bro. Jim Connolly, C.F.X.
Xaverian House Danvers, MA
Chaplain Essex CO. Jail
Terry O'rourke
December 29, 2018
r i p Mr McKenna
Ted Herrmann
December 29, 2018
My deepest sympathies to the McKenna family.
Bill was a guiding light in my life; during my tenure at Xavier; particularly in detention for my tardiness.
It got to the point; hed give me the attendance roster to take attendance of those in detention for the day.
He had a trendous sense of humor, and compassion that I fondly remember. I remember some anecdotes he shared with us in our Love & Marriage class that I still repeat to this day..... those stories came from 1973.... so, they continue to this day, as Im sure many of my classmates continue to share his stories and wisdom as well.
RIP Mr. McKenna.....
Bud McDowell
December 29, 2018
Wonderful guy. I knew him on many levels. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy of love of teaching and of family.He will be missed.
Bud McDowell
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