James "JIMO" McKenna

James J. “Jimo” McKenna passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Deer Meadows Retirement Community. He was 89 years old. Jimo was married to the late Elizabeth “Betty” (nee Foley). He is survived by three of his seven children, James McKenna (Donna), John McKenna (Deanna) and Denise Flanagan (Chas). Jimo’s deceased children include Elizabeth “Betty” McCuen (John), Mary Ellen Kaiser (Sam), Michael McKenna and Joseph McKenna. Jimo had 13 grandchildren and 20 great grand children. Jimo’s siblings, all deceased, include Jacob Beideman (Dorothy), Grace Poupard (Charlie), Margret Bielawski (Reds), Ellen Campbell (Bill) and Marion Cosgrove (Marty). Jimo was born in the family home on York Street on April 24, 1930 to the late James J. and Mary (nee Raufer) McKenna. Jimo attended the Holy Name of Jesus School. As a teenager he was a “hustler”, always working odd jobs to earn a buck to help his family. In August 1947, at the age of 17, he dropped out of school and joined the Army. Jimo spent the next 21 years serving our country, retiring in October 1968 as a Sergeant First Class. Jimo then went to work for the US Postal Service as a letter carrier in Pennsauken, NJ. He had an 11 year career with the postal service retiring in 1979. Upon retiring from the postal service he bought a truck and delivered office equipment for the next 11 years, finally “retiring” in 1990. Grand children and great grandchildren were a tremendous source of joy for Jimo and he will be sadly missed by them all. Fishtown was home to Jimo. He was a “homer”, a fan of the Phillies and Eagles. He enjoyed fresh water fishing; he found it so relaxing and peaceful. Jimo does not want you to mourn his passing, he would rather you celebrate his life as he felt he lived a good one.  Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Monday, July 22, from 7-9pm and Tuesday, July 23, from 8:30-10 AM in the McElvarr Funeral Home 1415-17 E. Susquehanna Ave. Philadelphia PA 19125 (Fishtown). His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at Holy Name of Jesus Church 701 Gaul Street (at Berks). Interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940.  In lieu of flowers, the family is respectfully requesting Memorial contributions to Holy Name of Jesus Church. 701 East Gaul St., Philadelphia, Pa  19125 

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