James M. McKenna Obituary

James Matthew McKenna age 61, brother and father, after a tough bout with cancer, went to be with the Lord on September 13th, 2024. At the moment of his passing, he was surrounded by his sons, James, Eamon, Kevin, and Matthew with whom he had a great bond and friendship. They were the light of his life, and he took great joy in watching them play sports in the Manchester-Essex area.

Born in Framingham, Jim grew up in Rockland County, New York, and then Hingham, Massachusetts, where he excelled in sports and then graduated from Hingham High School. Jim went on to UMass Boston for his double BA in English and Economics and UMass Amherst for his MPA, finishing his education at Suffolk Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. Jim then became town manager of Dover, Mass., for several years helping the town in its many projects and endeavors. He continued on to Gloucester as City Manager, working diligently with Gloucester Mayor John Bell and having a great sense of accomplishment and pride in bringing Gloucester into the 21st century while relishing and keeping the incredible maritime history alive in that community. Jim went on to serve the community of Winthrop, Mass., and took pride in the many accomplishments that he, his team and the residents worked on during his tenure there.

Jim ended his career working for the Commonwealth in a capacity where he oversaw the distribution of state monies for use by towns throughout Massachusetts for various building projects. Jim was admitted as a member of the Knights of Columbus shortly before his passing.

In private practice, Jim was also an excellent real estate attorney and did much to help recent immigrants navigate the legal system to acquire legal status here in the United States.

Jim loved his family, his community and his country but also loved his Catholic faith, which brought him real solace especially in his final months. Jim died with dignity, confident that he would be reunited with his parents, Matthew James Sr. and his mother, Elizabeth Mary (nee Murphy) who preceded him in death. The great hope of the family is that Jim is with his parents and ancestors in eternal bliss.

A heartfelt thanks to Susan McKenna for all of her loving care during Jim's illness.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Visitation Parish St. John the Baptist Church, Essex on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held prior to the Mass in church from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.

The burial will be held privately.

Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.