Obituary of James Francis McKenna

Mount Pleasant, James Francis "Peck" McKenna, age 87 of Mount Pleasant, PA, died Wednesday (02/3/16) in Excela Health- Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant, PA. Mr. McKenna was born May 23, 1928 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the son of the late Francis and Tillie Keto McKenna. He was a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. Mr. McKenna was a 1946 graduate of the former Ramsay High School. He then served his country proudly in the United States Army, having been stationed in Japan from 1946 until 1948. Jim then continued his education, earning his BS in Biology from the Indiana State Teachers College, now IUP, in 1953. He began his career in teaching, working for the Mount Pleasant Area School District. From 1953-1963, he taught Social Studies and Biology at the Ramsay Senior High School. Receiving his M.Ed. in Counseling and Administration from Duquesne University in 1963. Mr. McKenna worked for the School District for a time as a Guidance Counselor. He retired in July, 1990 as Principal of the Mount Pleasant Area School District. Peck was a member of the PSEA, the PA Association of Secondary School Principals, the Middle States School Evaluation Teams, and had also served as President of the Keystone Conference for 2 years. Active in the Mount Pleasant Community, he was on the Rotary Scholarship Committee, and worked with Meals on Wheels. He was an honorary member of the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of the VFW Post 3368, American Legion Post 446, the Hecla Sportsman Club, the Falcons Nest 47, Donegal Highlands Golf Club, the YMCA, and was a Life Member of the BPOE. Jim was honored to have been selected into the Mount Pleasant Area School District's "Wall of Fame". He had been the Owner/Partner of the Laurel Mountain Inn in Bakersville, PA from 1978-1990. He was an avid golfer and fisherman, who also enjoyed gardening, and was an excellent cook. Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend to many. Mr. McKenna was a distinguished and vibrant member of the Mount Pleasant Community. He was well liked, well loved, and will greatly missed by all who had the privilege and the honor to have known him. He is survived by his loving family: his children; Cynthia McKenna Crossland and her husband James, and C. Kim McKenna Michael and her husband James, all of Mt. Pleasant, and his son, James "Chip" McKenna and his wife Angie of Mosheim, TN. Jim will be greatly missed by his grandchildren; Jamie Narr and Justin, Jennifer Crossland and Tom, J. Kurtis Michael, and Ross F. Michael, his great grandchildren, Noelle, Nicole, and Natalie Narr, and by his beloved cat and faithful companion, Sugar. Jim is also survived by his brother and sister, Thomas McKenna of Thailand, and Nora McKenna Morrison of Twinsburg, OH, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Constance "Connie" Pinsky McKenna in 2009, and by his brother John "Jack" McKenna in 2014. Family and friends will be received Saturday from 4 until 8 PM and Sunday from 1 until 5 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle St., Mount Pleasant. A blessing service will be held Monday at 9:30AM in the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Pius X RC Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment with military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 446 will be in the Visitation Parish Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. A parish wake service will be held in the funeral home Sunday at 3PM. To offer an online condolence, please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com