McKENNA, John J. “Jack” beloved husband, father, and papa, Captain, Boston Fire Department, Retired, and former President of Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718, passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2024.

Jack was born in Boston and grew up in Charlestown with his parents, John and Catherine (Kay), and his brothers Bill and Ron before moving to Dorchester. Jack took his role as eldest son and brother to heart. His enduring commitment to his family, always ensuring his parents were cared for and his brothers looked after can only speak to the man he would become. Dedicated though he was, this didn't make him any less tricky, funny or argumentative when he knew it could get you going. Growing up, he loved to bet his brothers on the outcome of football games that he already knew the outcome of, finish puzzles his mother worked on while waiting for him to come home from a date, and hang out with his many friends and family. Ever the debater, Jack loved the debate club in high school which is no surprise to those who knew him, as he loved to “argue”. You didn’t have to know him long to learn this about him. He would often take the opposite view of others just to get a rise out of them.

A chance encounter at McManus Ice Cream Parlor in 1968 is where Jack met the love of his life, Peggy. He took her to the circus for their first date. Little did he know that would lead to building an incredible life with her and their 6 wonderful children. As they grew, Jack loved to take the kids to the park to feed the ducks or to the fire house at Christmas to meet Santa. Jack always had a pep talk ready for his kids and grandkids, giving them life advice on financial security, the importance of education, or building lasting relationships with people. On their wedding anniversary, Jack would bring Peggy a yellow rose for each year of marriage, and this past November, he brought her 55 yellow roses to celebrate their 55 amazing years together.

Ever building his legacy through his commitment to his community and family, Jack followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Boston Fire Department. He loved being a firefighter. He was a member of the drill team and his family loved watching the demonstrations during fire prevention week. He got involved in the Union to better the lives of his brothers and sisters. Jack was instrumental in the writing and passage of the Massachusetts Cancer Presumption Law. Jack held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and finally was honored to be the President of Boston Firefighters Local 718 where he fought tirelessly for the benefits of all Boston firefighters.

To know Jack was to love him. He would have a ‘Hi Pal’ at the ready to greet everyone making them feel special and yes, each person he came into contact with was, but a little known fact, he was never great about remembering names so everyone was “Pal”! Jack was an avid chess player, oftentimes looking for someone to play chess against. He would eagerly ask the guys in the firehouse, one of his kids, or a stranger online to play. He liked to think of himself as a master chess player but his kids can tell you otherwise. They would often turn the tables on him and beat him more times than he liked to admit. Jack also fancied himself a savvy card player, Texas Hold ‘em being his specialty, and was always willing to lighten your wallet.

Loved by so many, he is survived by his wife Peggy (Ziniti) McKenna and his children Carolyn McKenna (Local 144), Kerry McKenna (Local 144), Candice McKenna, Karin McKenna, John J. and Christine McKenna, and Michael McKenna(Local 144) and his wife Stephanie O’Keefe. His grandchildren Mathew and his wife Audra, Brian, Brady, Meghan, Logan, Owen, Finn, and Colton who affectionately called him Papa and the newest addition to the family, his first Great Granddaughter Zoe Jacqueline (in honor of Jack) McKenna. He is the caring brother of Ronald McKenna and his wife Marti O’Keefe McKenna, and the late Bill and Charlene McKenna. He lovingly leaves many brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visiting hours at the John J. O’Connor & Son Funeral Home, 740 Adams St. Dorchester, Tuesday from 4-8 pm. Funeral Mass at St. Brendan’s Church Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock followed by interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery, 920 Adams St., Dorchester. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Jack McKenna may be made to The John J. and Nora Jennings Memorial Scholarship, c/o Boston Firefighters Credit Union, 60 Hallet St, Dorchester, MA 02124. For directions and expressions of sympathy, please visit www.oconnorandson.com