Obituary: Joseph Jay McKenna, 55, Motivated by his love for Jesus, he touched the Lives of Countless People All Over the World

Obituary from Campbell Funeral Home.

Joseph Jay McKenna, 55, died peacefully Friday, May 8, 2015 at home, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jay was a loving and devoted husband, father, friend, coworker, and a passionate servant of Christ and the Church.

Born in Meriden, Connecticut on December 16, 1959 to Jean S. (Dennis) McKenna and the late Joseph G. McKenna, he is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kristen (Swanson) McKenna of Beverly, MA; daughter, Kerrie M. James and her husband, Brian P. James of Salem, MA; son, Jonathan Joseph McKenna and his wife, Sarah A. McKenna of Beverly, MA; daughter, Katie M. Antonell and her husband, Matthew S. Antonell of Beverly, MA; daughter, Kimberly M. McKenna of Beverly, MA and fiancé Kevin G. Saliba of Gaithersburg, MD; grandchildren Levi Joseph and Magnolia G. James; brother, Jeffrey A. McKenna, his wife Louise M. McKenna, and sons Jacob C. McKenna of Savage, MN and Jeffrey A. McKenna Jr. of Peabody MA; and brother, Jon R. McKenna of Peabody, MA. He is also survived by his in-laws. Roy and Janis Swanson, Wendy, Jennifer and Randall Mattson, Eric, Julie, Elizabeth, Richard, Robert and Timothy Swanson and many other extended family.

Jay grew up in Beverly and attended Beverly High School. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in business administration from UNH, Jay went on to attend seminary at Gordon Conwell to receive a Master of Arts in Theology. Soon after, Jay led his family across the world working for international schools in Yemen and the Cayman Islands. His family fondly remembers the adventures they were afforded, as well as the lessons they learned about faith and culture.

When Jay’s father became ill, Jay moved his family back to Beverly. He worked in accounting at Harbor Schools, and the Northeast ARC. His most recent position was as CFO of Fidelity House Inc. in Lawrence, MA. He also served as a lay-leader at Grace Fellowship Church, North Shore Community Baptist Church and Highrock North Shore Church. Whether in the role of elder, small-group leader, Sunday school teacher, children’s choir director, men’s ministry coordinator, or spiritual mentor, Jay poured Christ-like wisdom and love into the many lives he touched. He’ll be remembered as a beloved friend and counselor to many.

Jay cultivated an award-winning fruit garden in his backyard and he enjoyed sharing his apples, blackberries, and blueberries with family and neighbors. From his days as a bugle player in the Drum and Bugle Corp 27th Lancers, a marching instructor at UNH, and his lively participation in Sunday worship and church choirs, Jay had a lifelong appreciation for music.

Jay devoted himself to his family. He raised his four children in the faith and with the values he held dear, and lived to see them mature into adults who loved him and cared for him during his struggle with cancer. He relished time with his grandchildren, playing and reading stories with Levi and cuddling with baby Magnolia.

Jay was intentional about everything that he did and he made the most of his time here on earth. Motivated by his love for Jesus, he touched the lives of countless people all over the world. His legacy of faith will be carried on by those who were the blessed recipients of the love and care he gave in abundance.

Memorial donations may be made to Highrock North Shore Church, 211 Bridge St., Salem, MA 01970 or The Gideons International at www.gideons.org.