Hugh Mckenna

Hugh J. McKenna, 98 of Whitman passed away on Sunday August 20, 2017 surrounded by his loving Family. He was the devoted husband for 62 years of the late Mary C. (Walsh) McKenna. Born in Portsmouth, NH on August 13, 1919. He was the son of Mabel (Plante) and James McKenna. Hugh grew up in Littleton, NH working the family dairy farm. We believe this is where Hugh got his strong work ethic. He joined the U.S. Army during WWII where he was part of the Army Ski Patrol in Germany. While in the service he also was a welter weight Amateur Boxing Star. Returning home he married the love of his life and settled in Whitman for the rest of his life. He was a certified welder, working pipe lines. He was a member of the Whitman Knights of Columbus Council 347 for 57 years.

After retirement, he loved his garden and giving away his many vegetables. He had his wood working shop in his garage at home for many years. He loved giving his wood crafts such as his famous cow to all his family members. Hugh worked part time at Skinner’s Sugar House in East Bridgewater helping during the Christmas rush. There is a chocolate named after him “The Hughio”. He was an avid Red Sox and Patriot’s fan. Hugh enjoyed traveling with his family to Aruba, Bermuda, Florida and Tennessee. He played bingo regularly at the K of C in Whitman.

He will be remembered as a very loving and caring, hardworking family man, who would give you the shirt off his back. His biggest passion was his family. He was the father of Hugh (Chip) McKenna husband to Debbie, Alyce Arsenault, wife to Herbert, Mary Wibben, wife to Greg, Michael McKenna, husband to Gail, Nancy Payton, wife to William, Joann Daley, wife to Paul. Also the late Peggy McKenna.

Grandfather to Casey Arsenault, Kendra Beguerie, Corey Hickey, Cailyn Manning, Tobey Carew, Darryl Garofoli, Brooke Scriven, Brandon Ferro, Isaiah Arsenault, Mitchell Daley, Ashley Pina, Alicia Clancy, Allison Frisoli, Marshall Daley, Morgan McKenna, Bridget Bocchino, Myles Daley, Alexandra Broadford, Grant Ferro, Seth McKenna, Michael McKenna, Taylor McKenna, Lydon McKenna and Kelsie McKenna.

Great-grandfather to Veronica, Victoria and Payton Wright, Noah Arsenault, Jordan, Dylin, Madison, and Will Beguerie, Shawn, Sam, and McKenna Hickey, Cameron, Cole, Owen, Nora and Charlotte Manning, Sadie, Abigail, Harrison, and Hazel Carew, Christina Garofoli, Sophie, Logan, Ella, and Ruby Scriven, Jacob Ferro, Joel, Lily and Wyatt Arsenault, Quinn, Drew and Myah Daley, Alvia, Curt, and Avery Pina, Evanne Fox, Delia, Una, Penelope, and Emmeline Clancy, Charlie, Oliver, Hugh and Mary Frisoli, William and Benjamin Morgan, Michael Bocchino, Isabella Daley, Brayden and Tyler and Hudson Daley, Noah Broadford, Dominic and Matthew McKenna, Myka, and Maren McKenna and Ashlen Delcroix.

Great-great-grandfather to Jabare , Vamare, and Vivienne Smith, Valisianna, Valejandro, and Vamailio Rodriquez-Wright, Lilyanna Wright, and Ethan Delvalle Wright. His sister Margaret Jarvis and the late Edward, Thomas, Henora McKenna and Veronica Mitchell, and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his loving companion Eleanor Mosher.

Family and friends invited to attend visiting hours in the MacKinnon Funeral Home, 760 Washington St., Whitman on Wednesday Aug. 23 4-8 pm.

Funeral Mass Thursday in Holy Ghost Church at 10:30 am. Burial at Colebrook Cemetery in Whitman.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research,  262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.