Obituary of Richard Eugene McKenna

Bangor, PA: Richard Eugene McKenna, age 74, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2014 at his home in Bangor, PA. He was born in Plainfield, was raised in North Plainfield, NJ and had lived there many years before moving to Bangor, PA. Mr. McKenna graduated from North Plainfield High School in 1958 and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1962 from Columbia University in Zoology where he was also on the crew team for 4 years. He earned his Master's Degree in Education from Rutger's University. He taught at North Plainfield High School from 1963 to 2003. He coached little league, swimming, wrestling, cross country, winter and spring boys and girls track. He was also the equipment manager of the HS football team. He was a member of the Band Parents and served on the Board of the North Plainfield Education Association. While he was in high school and college, he was a summer playground Counselor in North Plainfield and then served as Playground Director in Maplewood and North Plainfield for over 20 years. Most recently, he was the Assistant Track Coach at Pennridge High School in Perkasie, PA. Mr. McKenna had over forty years of teaching Science and Biology at North Plainfield High School. He served on the Recreation Commission in Washington, Twp. for the past several years and was the Assistant Scout Master for Troop 235 in North Plainfield for many years. Mr. McKenna was a member, Head Deacon and belonged to the Chancel Choir at the Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church and was a current member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem, PA where he was active in the Youth Ministry Committee. Mr. McKenna was a loving husband; father, brother, son, grandfather, teacher, mentor, coach, neighbor and friend. He is predeceased by his son, Douglas McKenna and his brother, Donald McKenna. He is survived by his wife, Gail J. Looker McKenna; his daughters, and Joanna Bartholomew and her husband, David and his grandchildren, David Bartholomew, III and Allie Bartholomew. Jennifer McKenna and her fianc, Gary N. Peterson . A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. at Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church. Cremation is private. Visitation will be on Friday from 2-4 & 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung and on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Richard McKenna Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please make checks out to: NPHS Alumni Association c/o FRED SHEELER 587 Ayres Ave., North Plainfield, NJ 07063