Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Eugene McKenna, 86

February 01, 2024

Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Eugene McKenna, 86, of Manheim Township, completed his service on Earth on Thursday, Feb. 1, surrounded by his loving family.

A native New Yorker, Richard was born on March 31, 1937, the son of Florence (O’Donnell) and Richard A. McKenna, of Bellerose, NY, where he spent his youth. He attended elementary school at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy in Queens Village, NY, and went to high school at St. Francis Preparatory School in Brooklyn, NY. He went on to earn a business degree from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, graduating in 1960.

In what would prove to be a life-defining choice, that year, Richard joined the National Guard. He remained in the service for 26 years, devoting to it much of his energy and heart and attaining the rank of command sergeant major. He spent time with the 7th and 69th regiments, both headquartered in New York City.

About the time he began his military career, he met and began a relationship with Marianne McCormick, of New Hyde Park, NY. The two wed in 1962, settling at first in Bellerose, where they welcomed their first three children: Christopher, Patricia, and Kathleen. The five moved to Brentwood, NY, in 1968 and there completed their family with the arrival of Richard James in 1977.

Richard worked the first part of his post-college career in retail, selling shoes at Gertz and Gimbels department stores, as well as Lane Bryant and Roman’s.

In 1981, he took a job as manager of the medical surgical storeroom at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, which would become North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. He remained there until he retired in 1999, finishing as assistant director of material support services. Richard found great reward in his instrumental role in running the health system’s Adopt a Family program, which delivered holiday gifts to families in need.

Upon his retirement, Richard and Marianne moved to Manheim Township, in part to be close to where their son Christopher lived with his wife and two daughters. While in Lancaster County, Richard worked on a pig farm and as a traffic flagger.

An avid traveler, Richard documented his journeys, often taken with his wife and young children in tow, with reams of photographs. He reveled in all things historical, especially military history, and devoted much time to the memory and memorializing of veterans. He volunteered countless hours at Lancaster General Hospital.

His absence will be achingly felt by Marianne McKenna, his wife of 61 years; his son Christopher McKenna and his wife, Candie, of Manheim Township; his daughter Patricia McKenna, of Bayshore, NY; his daughter Kathleen Lopez and her husband, Oscar, of North Babylon, NY; his son Richard James McKenna, of East Northport, NY; his brother Charles McKenna, of Babylon, NY; and his grandchildren Cole, Magdalena and Tristan McKenna. He also holds a special place in the hearts of many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He was predeceased by his brother Eugene, of Bellerose, NY; Michael, of Medford, NY; his sister Mary Ann, of Amityville, NY; and granddaughter Park.

The family invites guests to a viewing Friday, February 9, 2024, beginning at 4pm until 6pm at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike. A funeral mass will be held the following day at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E Delp Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601, at 11am. A viewing will be held prior to Mass at 10am.

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