James McKenna Obituary

Yes, it´s been a rough couple of years like Lauren said. Her and Matt are the best of the best parents in raising you grandsons. Thinking of you all the time. There are so many of our family and loved ones with you, too many; but it´s comforting to feel and know that you all are together

It´s been a very difficult 2 years dad. I hope you´re all together somewhere unknown, strange, and beautiful. Peaceful in the knowledge we don´t have yet. Love you and miss you every damn day.

Yesterday you hit a milestone, 80. Happy birthday big brother. In my heart always

Another year gone by. Happy BD. Your always not far from my thoughts and missed so very much by all. e

Happy birthday deaconWish you were here.

Sister Eileen

75 years ago today was and still is special.
I'm wishing you were here like all of your family. Happy birthday my big brother. Forever in my heart. Eileenie

8/23/15...another year...its hard to believe....I know you always have a big smile on your face these days....watching your precious GS and namesake "Jimmy". Happy Birthday! E

Hey big brother..Happy Birthday. It is a day to have good thoughts; and pictures of you in my mind...there are a lot....forever in my heart....e

Happy Birthday Deacon...72...I had a milestone BD this year...so wish you were here to celebrate with me...always in my thoughts....E

As lucky as I am to have such a great family, and such great friends, I've missed and needed you more this year than any other.

Thinking of you today and always. HB my dear brother..... Eileen

It seems like yesterday that we were together, on your 61st birthday. Now its your 70th, but not together. I need to believe that you are celebrating with Joan and you guys are discussing Chicago politics and I will imagine what you are saying. Happy birthday Jimmy. E

Can't find words today. Void is too rough. HB dear brother.

Eileen

It's been 7 years since I lost my uncle, but I still have my own picture of him in my head..I used to spend many summer weekends with him and my aunt Ilene.. Those are my fondest memories of him, especially when he'd rent me horror movies and take me to Herman's for beers and pretzels.. Oh yeah, I didn't get to have beer, but got all the soda I wanted..

Another year gone by. Another birthday celebration without you; but you are here in hearts and minds of all. Happy Birthday Jimmy.

Even after six years, I still miss you everyday. I wish you could be here to share with me all the exciting things going on in my life. I mourn all our missed oppurtunities. I love you Dad.

This is your 6th year in your heavenly peacefullness; and your family's 6th year celebrating your birthday together, but sadly without you. We visited you where you are resting. Oh how I wish you were here to talk to you. I think I will write you a letter. Happy Birthday my dear brother. Love E

I went to the Cubs game last night and was thinking about my Uncle Jimmy and how we almost made it in 2003. Happy Birthday

Tom

It is a bittersweet day today. It is Jimmy's 65th birthday. He is on our minds and in our thoughts everday but today is special. We will celebrate him together by sharing memories about him and toasting him. Then we will go back to our own worlds; but with a sense of peace knowing that we celebrated Jimmy's life and his special birthday together, wife, daughter and sisters. He will be smiling at us with his Irish eyes and loving it.

Today is a special day in my heart and I am sure in the hearts of all Jimmy's family and friends. It's his birthday. Oh how I wish he was here; but that wasn't to be because God had other plans for him. It is a beautiful sunny day and how appropriate for this a special day. I am trying hard not to be blubbering and all because if

he is looking down at me he would be saying "Geez kid, snap out"; so I will snap out of it and today I will celebrate him and the wonderful years that I had with my sweet Jimmy and I thank God most especially for the time we spent together in the months before he went away.



Your Loving Sister,

Eileen

In addition to remembering my father today, I also want to thank all of you, who have been so supportive of myself and my mother, you have made this awful ordeal, easier to bear. Standing up here and speaking in front of all of you who have known my father is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but at the same time simply talking about him , and what a great father he was to me is an incredibly rewarding experience. God could not have blessed me with a better man as my father, he understood me in a way that no one else did, and he loved me unconditionally. That unconditional love is so wonderfully painful, because it is something that I will miss for the rest of my life. But at the same time, I was incredibly lucky to have had someone love me that much at all.



When I think of my father the words that come to mind for me are loyal, loving,devoted, generous,forgiving, and encouraging, but most of all humorous. My father and I could go back and fourth, sometimes to my mother's dismay, with one joke for hours on end, we shared a sense of humor that allowed us to laugh at just about anything and at times was what would support me through very hard times in my life. I look to that humor now to get me through this tragedy. Throughout his illness my father and I would often struggle through his anguish by desperately trying to make light of his pain. Despite the courage he displayed on the outside I know that he was afraid of the sadness that he knew his friends and colleagues would experience, but lastly afraid of what awaited him. He always thought and was primarily concerned with others before himself. This is what made my father such an inspiring man.



Throughout the past few months I have had so many questions flow through my mind. How could this be happening to my father? Why him? My faith was strongly in question. But when I think about my father what he would want for me, I know he would not want me to succomb to fears and bitterness. He wouldn't want for this for any of his friends and family. Even in death my father has reaffirmed my faith in God, others, and myself. The strength that my father exuded is what keeps me strong, and what I hope will keep all of you strong. The love, devotion, and concern that my father exhibited for me, and for all of those he knew, is what I will look back on, not the past six months of his life. Wherever I go I will carry a piece of my father, a piece of him that fills the space that cancer took from me when it ripped my father from me and my mother. And I strongly believe that my father is above us, looking down, behind some desk in heaven,making sure that everything runs smoothly for all of us.

My Uncle Jimmy lived a life of caring and protecting other people.

He didn't express his feelings often, but anyone who truly knew my Uncle, knew he cared deeply for his family and friends.

I will love you always!

One month ago today, my wonderful brother went to sleep. Today I will be thinking about his "Irish Eyes" which truly smiled; and how he is looking down at his family, through those eyes saying "everything is okay with me and everying thing will be okay with you".

My memories of my "Big Brother" Jimmy are ones of deep affection and love and the loss I feel will never lessen. When we were kids, he was my protector and that protection carried over into my adult life. He showed great strength and courage during his illness and I am proud to be his sister.

I had the privelege of working with Jim the two years I spent on midnights in 016. Jim was the most competent, professional, and calming policeman I have ever met. His voice was the voice of reason. I haven't met his wife and daughter but I know they were the most important people in Jim's life. He spoke fondly of them daily. The Department as well as his family have suffered a very great loss.

I feel privileged to have known Jim. He had a very pleasant personality and was easy to like and know. I observed the really close relationship he had with his daughter and I loved seeing that. Jim's culinary talents impressed me as well. I know he will be missed forever by Ilene and Lauren.

Jim will be remembered by so many who loved him so much. Ilene & Lauren; you know we're there for you. The world lost one of the really great guys. They don't make them any better than Jim.

With all our love,

Mike, Barb, Matt @ Ricky Goldman

Jim was one of the true great guys of this world. He will be a wonderful addition to the world beyond. We will miss so much about him; his humor, warmth, caring and that innocent naivety he showed when you talked about something new to him. He will never be forgotten.

With all our love,

Mike, Barb, Matt & Ricky Goldman

Our sympathy and prayers go out to Ilene and Loren. May you find strength and comfort in your love for Jim.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and with Jim at this difficult time. Love, Barbara and Mark