John "Raymond" F. McKenna

John (Raymond) F. McKenna, age 84, born on May 21, 1938, in Kittery, Maine died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on January 9, 2023. John was the son of Michael Martin McKenna and Bridie McKenna who resided for many years on Barrell Lane in York Harbor, Maine.

After attending York schools, in 1961 John joined the U.S. Army and proudly served for three years as a member of the Presidential Honor Guard for President John F. Kennedy. Returning to York, he devoted nearly forty years to running his own stone Mason business, while working with his brother Martin McKenna in various business ventures.

John is survived by his loving daughter, Michelle McKenna and his loving step-son Kevin Springer as well as his former wife, Jeannine LeBlanc. He also leaves four grandchildren Daryl McKenna, 28, Karina McKenna, 21, Jordan, 15, and Kaylee, 9 years old. And his youngest great granddaughter, Yoella, who is 4 years old.

One of eight children, John is also survived by two sisters, Christine Adams Butch from Connecticut, and Eileen Dempsey from Florida and three brothers, David McKenna from Arizona, Daniel McKenna of York and Martin McKenna from Oregon. Predeceased are his sister Mary (Moulton) Fish and brother, Michael P. McKenna. Also close relatives on his father’s side include Joseph McKenna from Minnesota, Robert McKenna from San Diego, California and Larry McKenna and Veronica (McKenna) Bragdon from York.

John is known for his stone work-the seawall in front of the Cutty Sark Motel, York Beach; the rebuilt causeway to the Wiggley Bridge in York Harbor, the rebuilding of the Fisherman’s Walk, and the Cliff Walk along the ocean, repair of the Trinity Church front, the 145 ft seawall in front of Val Bernard’s ocean front home, or the 350 ft wall at Knollwood in York Harbor. Stone home fronts, and many fireplaces and beautiful garden walls! John was an iconic figure in the town of York; and now he leaves this picturesque town knowing that his work is still an integral, permanent part of the beauty of York - his gift to all is his enduring “legacy of stone”.

It is true that John will be remembered for his amazing stone work, but also for the way he cared for his family and friends. So many came to see him in the last days of his life and everyone said, “John helped me.” In his quiet way, he could understand others and could be there for them. An astute, exact, but honest businessman, he worked hard all his life and was an example of not only physical strength; but also great strength of character.

John (Raymond) will be very much missed by his daughter, Michelle, and stepson, Kevin and his grandchildren and great granddaughter - as well as the many nieces and nephews who admired and loved him, his brothers and sisters, friends and relatives who saw him as the patriarch of the entire McKenna family.

Memories of strength and love will sustain all who knew him.

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