John Fergus McKenna

11/11/1967 - 4/16/2022

Waban, Mass. - John Fergus McKenna of Waban, Mass., passed away Saturday, April 16, 2022. John was born in Kearny, N.J., Nov. 11, 1967, the son of Joseph and Margaret (McMillan) McKenna.

John and his family moved to Oakdale, in 1978. In 1986, John graduated from Saint Bernard High School, Uncasville, and then from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, in 1990, where he obtained a BA in economics. After college, John became a certified financial analyst (CFA). He worked on Wall Street as an equity research analyst at Smith Barney and subsequently, as a small cap portfolio manager at Aeltus Investment Group.

While at UConn, John met the love of his life, Kristen Szymurski of Pawcatuck, whom he married in 1995. John and Kristen lived in New York, N.Y., before settling in Ivoryton, where they resided for 22 years, while raising their two sons, Jack and Sean. John's greatest joy was being a dad, and he was a doting father. As the only boy growing up with three sisters, he was overjoyed and filled with pride when each of his sons were born. In 2020, the family moved to Waban, Mass.

John was an avid sports and music fan and loved to coach little league, park and rec basketball, and was a founding member of Buddy Baseball which was established on the Connecticut Shoreline for children with special needs. He was known for his great sense of humor, Irish wit and quick one-liners. When John wasn't with his family, working, or giving back to the community, he was texting with his close friends whom he viewed as brothers. For over 35 years, he and his St. Bernard brothers were tied together by their love for fantasy football and each other.

John is survived by his wife Kristen; sons, Jack and Sean; his sisters, Margaret Mager (Ron) of Bronxville, N.Y., Deirdre Reed of Old Saybrook, and Moya McKenna (Liam Donovan) of Austin, Texas; and his nieces, Lauren Heery and Rachel Reed; and nephews, Owen Reed and Andrew Mager. He also leaves behind an uncle, Joseph McMillan (Bernadette), of Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland; as well as many cousins in Ireland, Connecticut, Ohio, and New Hampshire.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Avenue, Niantic. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.tighedtogether.org. Condolences may be shared on John's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.