Obituary for Robert J. Mc Kenna
Robert J. McKenna, 82, known by his friends and family as “Bob,” passed away on Friday October 25, 2019 in Wayne, NJ. He was born in The Bronx, New York, the son of proud, Irish immigrant parents, and has lived in Ringwood for the last 52 years. Bob was a member of Saint Catherine of Bologna Parish and a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Joan McKenna (Grafer), his daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and John Harris of Wanaque, and two grandchildren, Kathryn Mary Harris of Wanaque and Jennifer Harris of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, John McKenna, of Wantage, New Jersey, and his brother- and sister-in-law, Don Grafer and Susan Koski-Grafer of Ocean Pines, Maryland.
Bob’s beloved mother and father, Elizabeth (Moran) and Michael McKenna, his younger brother James McKenna, sister, Elizabeth “Bunny” Cassese and her husband, John Cassese, pre-deceased Bob by many years. Bob acted as surrogate father and guardian to surviving niece and nephew, Elizabeth Cassese-Aldridge, and Sean Cassese. Bob is also survived by a great many other beloved nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.
Bob’s greatest joy in life was caring for his family. The love of his life, Joan, and his daughter and granddaughter, Maureen and ‘Katy May’ held a special place in his heart. He had an unwavering commitment to them, and they in turn were a source of steadfast love and affection.
Bob was quiet, unassuming and easy-going, but his warm spirit was a bright light to everyone whose lives he touched. His kind nature put people immediately at ease, and his genuine enthusiasm and joy for life were uncomplicated and uplifting.
Having persisted through the harsh conditions of his early upbringing, Bob was determined to forge a good life and solid future for his loved ones. At the age of 17 he began work for Manufacturers Trust as a teller and stayed with the company through several historical mergers and acquisitions, steadily progressing through the ranks and amassing greater responsibility. During this time, Bob also joined the National Guard and served his country proudly for 8 years.
He graduated from NYU School of Commerce with a bachelor’s degree in science (Magna Cum Laude) in 1966, then Bob moved his family to the fledgling community of Ringwood in 1967. Being of hearty, Irish stock, he commuted daily to New York City for the next 29 years, never missing a single day of work. Bob ended his career with JP Morgan, Chase & Co. as Branch Manager of the 28 Liberty Street branch, located in the shadow of the World Trade Center; the nerve center of New York’s Financial district where he retired as Managing Director in 1995, at the age of 57.
Bob spent the next 24 years with Joan, his wife of 60 years, traveling the Eastern Seaboard, cruising the Atlantic and happily sharing time between their homes and friends in Ringwood and Ocean Pines, Maryland, where he learned to captain his Chaparral 260 Signature, proudly christened, ‘The Katy May.’ The family will always hold fond memories of numerous deep-sea fishing trips coordinated by Bob and his brother-in-law, Don Grafer.
Bob was a vibrant and active man his entire life, until a relatively brief illness took his light from us, much too soon.
The family will receive family and friends on Tuesday from 3-7 pm at Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes.
Funeral Mass on Wednesday 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Bologna Parish, 112 Erskine Rd, Ringwood, NJ.
Interment at Christ the King Cemetery, 980 Huron Rd, Franklin Lakes, NJ.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Joan McKenna (Grafer), his daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and John Harris of Wanaque, and two grandchildren, Kathryn Mary Harris of Wanaque and Jennifer Harris of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, John McKenna, of Wantage, New Jersey, and his brother- and sister-in-law, Don Grafer and Susan Koski-Grafer of Ocean Pines, Maryland.
Bob’s beloved mother and father, Elizabeth (Moran) and Michael McKenna, his younger brother James McKenna, sister, Elizabeth “Bunny” Cassese and her husband, John Cassese, pre-deceased Bob by many years. Bob acted as surrogate father and guardian to surviving niece and nephew, Elizabeth Cassese-Aldridge, and Sean Cassese. Bob is also survived by a great many other beloved nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.
Bob’s greatest joy in life was caring for his family. The love of his life, Joan, and his daughter and granddaughter, Maureen and ‘Katy May’ held a special place in his heart. He had an unwavering commitment to them, and they in turn were a source of steadfast love and affection.
Bob was quiet, unassuming and easy-going, but his warm spirit was a bright light to everyone whose lives he touched. His kind nature put people immediately at ease, and his genuine enthusiasm and joy for life were uncomplicated and uplifting.
Having persisted through the harsh conditions of his early upbringing, Bob was determined to forge a good life and solid future for his loved ones. At the age of 17 he began work for Manufacturers Trust as a teller and stayed with the company through several historical mergers and acquisitions, steadily progressing through the ranks and amassing greater responsibility. During this time, Bob also joined the National Guard and served his country proudly for 8 years.
He graduated from NYU School of Commerce with a bachelor’s degree in science (Magna Cum Laude) in 1966, then Bob moved his family to the fledgling community of Ringwood in 1967. Being of hearty, Irish stock, he commuted daily to New York City for the next 29 years, never missing a single day of work. Bob ended his career with JP Morgan, Chase & Co. as Branch Manager of the 28 Liberty Street branch, located in the shadow of the World Trade Center; the nerve center of New York’s Financial district where he retired as Managing Director in 1995, at the age of 57.
Bob spent the next 24 years with Joan, his wife of 60 years, traveling the Eastern Seaboard, cruising the Atlantic and happily sharing time between their homes and friends in Ringwood and Ocean Pines, Maryland, where he learned to captain his Chaparral 260 Signature, proudly christened, ‘The Katy May.’ The family will always hold fond memories of numerous deep-sea fishing trips coordinated by Bob and his brother-in-law, Don Grafer.
Bob was a vibrant and active man his entire life, until a relatively brief illness took his light from us, much too soon.
The family will receive family and friends on Tuesday from 3-7 pm at Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home, 530 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes.
Funeral Mass on Wednesday 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Bologna Parish, 112 Erskine Rd, Ringwood, NJ.
Interment at Christ the King Cemetery, 980 Huron Rd, Franklin Lakes, NJ.