Obituary of Reverend Neil Roderick McKenna

Age 65, died suddenly in Antigonish on August 1, 2015. Born in Antigonish he was the son of the late Neil and Christena (Boyd) McKenna. He was educated in Antigonish and Mabou, graduated from St.F.X. with a B.A and B.Ed and he studied at Saint Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto. He was a priest of the Diocese of Antigonish having been ordained in 1984. He served as a priest in Larry’s River and several parishes in Cape Breton and for the last number of years he was involved in Hospital Pastoral Ministry, first in Halifax at the QE2, then at the Cape Breton Regional and finally at St. Martha’s, Antigonish, retiring from this ministry in 2014. His Hospital ministry took him to people when they were most vulnerable and he always reached out to them with compassion and understanding, providing comfort in their most difficult hours. Further, he was recognized as a gifted homilist and teacher whose words inspired and challenged his listeners. At the time of his death he was the Chaplain at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Saint Martha. He had a life long passion for Pipe Band Drumming. In 1974 he took a leave of absence from teaching and spent a year in Scotland receiving instruction from Jim Kilpatrick, MBE and Tom Brown, two of the world’s greatest band drummers. He was instructor and lead drummer of the Antigonish Legion Pipe Band that won several North American Championships and placed 3rd at the World Pipe Band Championship in Grade 2 in 1976. During his time as a priest he continued to teach drumming. In 2013 he was inducted into the Antigonish Highland Games Hall of Fame. Before going to study in the seminary Fr. Neil taught High School English in Antigonish and is remembered fondly by many of his former students. He is survived by his sister in law Dr. Patricia McKenna; his nieces and nephews, of which he was very proud, Jennifer (Anthony) Polson, Patrick (Krista) McKenna, Stephen McKenna, Matthew (Sarah) McKenna, Caroline McKenna and Emily McKenna. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother Boyd. A special thank you for the Sisters of Saint Martha for their support and kindness to Neil, and to his brother priests particularly Fr. Ralph McKay. Thank you to the medical community of St. Martha's Hospital especially Dr. Bill Booth and Dr. Mary Gorman. Visitation will take place at the Motherhouse Sisters of St. Martha starting on Tuesday August 4 at 2:00 PM with a Bible Vigil at 7:00PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be at Saint Ninian’s Cathedral on Wednesday August 5 at 11:00 AM with Bishop Brian Dunn presiding with Diocesan clergy concelebrating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Palliative Care Departments in Halifax, Sydney and Antigonish.