OBITUARY: Richard B. McKenna, 83

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Richard B. McKenna, “Dick”, age 83, of Reading, formerly a long-time resident of Tewksbury, Andover, and Wilmington, passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2024, with his family at his side.

Dick was born on September 26, 1940, in Winchester, MA; he was the dear son of the late Francis and Helen (Butters) McKenna. Dick was one of six siblings who were raised and educated in Wilmington; he played many sports in his younger years and made many life-long friends.

Dick went to work as an apprentice for the Elevator’s Union; through his hard work ethic and knowledge of his trade he worked his way up through the ranks and retired as a Supervisor for the IUEC Local #4 in Boston.

Dick married his “high school sweetheart” Carolyn Pilcher; the couple settled in Tewksbury where they raised their family and resided for over 25 years. Dick loved his family unconditionally; he was a devoted dad, and he looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever he could.

In his spare time, Dick, enjoyed travelling with family and friends, visiting his brothers in Florida, and golfing as often as he could.

Dick will be remembered as a quiet guy, very humble and unassuming; he was generous and always willing to help others. Dick was very proud of his family, and he will forever live on in their hearts.

Dick was the beloved husband of the late Carolyn (Pilcher) McKenna, devoted father of Scott McKenna and wife Donna of Ft. Myers, FL, Gail Richards and husband Todd of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Gregg McKenna and wife Kim of Wilmington. He was the loving “Grumpy” of Fr. Stephen McKenna, William “Bill” McKenna, Todd Richards and girlfriend Rachel Budrow, U. S. Army Major (JAG) Courtney Richards and fiancé Vicente Ramos Jr., Kelsey Mendoza and husband Angel, Julianne McKenna, Matthew McKenna and great-grandchildren Harper, Sophia, Avery, Paige, and Aaron. Dear brother of Terry McKenna, Robert “Bob” McKenna, the late Michael “Mickey” McKenna and wife Patricia McKenna, the late Maureen McHugh and late husband Richard “Bozo”, and the late Susan Gauthier and late husband Arthur. Dick is further survived by his aunt Anne “Ethel” Butters, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Dick’s family will be receiving people at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Wednesday, September 4th from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. followed by a Service at 10:30 a.m. which will be celebrated by his grandson Fr. Stephen McKenna. Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneral home.com.