McKenna, Alfred ‘Carl’

Alfred “Carl” McKenna, 83, longtime resident of Canton, died peacefully April 11, 2022, after a long illness.

Carl was a retired Navy chief petty officer who proudly served for 20 years as an “airedale” (aviation electrician). During his military career he accrued the following honors: Air Medal, Arms Forces Expeditionary Vietnam Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Services Medal, Antarctica Service Medal, Expert Pistol Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct, and Air Citation. He was a Parachute Rescue Jumpmaster in Antarctica and Rhode Island. He also swam with a scientific expedition in Antarctica to study the Weddell seals under the ice.

He was an involved father and grandfather who loved sharing his knowledge with patience and kindness. He was a lifetime student of many subjects like woodworking, multiple trades, anatomy and physiology, and mathematics. He loved learning foreign languages and would often speak to new friends in their primary language. He loved spending time with his sweetheart and wife, Nancy, and celebrated his 80th birthday by taking her flying and was recently working towards obtaining his private pilot’s license. He enjoyed spending time with his younger brother Phil (retired military) in the Old Antarctic Explorers Association (OAE).

Son of the late Daniel H. and Marion T. McKenna (Kessler). Loving husband of Nancy R. McKenna (Tiews) of Canton. Loving father of Kevin P. McKenna of Norwood, Karen L. McKenna of Canton, and Timothy J. McKenna of Norwood. Brother of Philip McKenna of Canton, Peter McKenna of Quincy, and the late Daniel McKenna of Boston. Former husband of the late Marjorie R. McKenna (Walsh). Former father-in-law of Greg Veliotis of Stoughton. Proud grandfather of Michael T. Veliotis and Marjorie S. Veliotis, both of whom are college students and Army National Guard soldiers, and his grandcat Midnight Minnie.

Visiting hours in the Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, Thursday (today) from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. Donations in Carl’s memory may be made to the Canton Veterans Services Department, 660 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Apr 14 2022. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.