John William McKenna
John William McKenna, born April 10, 1951, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, passed away in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, on July 9, 2025, at age 74.
John grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and was the son of the late John Lester and Rose (Madden) McKenna.
John was a talented classical guitarist, who loved to learn and play every kind of music. In his younger days, he won first prize at an Dalhousie Arts Festival in Nova Scotia and, for a time, he also played with a Caribbean band, as well as playing in restaurants in Halifax, Calgary and Edmonton. In his teen years, John paddled with both Banook and Mic Mac (Mi'Kmaq) Canoe Clubs in Dartmouth and traveled to several Canadian provinces to compete in canoe races. He was also a lover of good books, and became a big fan of Louis L'Amour due to his grandfather, Claude. He loved playing checkers and chess anywhere he could find someone to play with. John also loved to travel and spent time in the south of France, Mexico, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton but, at the same time, he always very much missed his native Nova Scotia.
John was a quiet and kind man and a loyal friend.
John will be sadly missed by his surviving sisters, Leslie (Andy), Halifax; Judy (Gerry McShane), Toronto, and brother, Dave, Dartmouth; nieces, Joanne, Christina and Denise; nephews, Allan and John Jason, a great-niece, Renee, as well as great-nieces and nephews, his brother-in-law, Jacques Robert, and many cousins.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Alan (Porter's Lake, Nova Scotia); his sisters, Carol (Brooklyn, Nova Scotia), Linda (Halifax), and Susan (in childhood); his paternal grandparents, Claude and Beatrice (Crowell) McKenna, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and his maternal grandparents William and Alice (Samson) Madden of Arichat, Nova Scotia.
I am so sorry to read about the death of my cousin John. As a young person visiting my Aunt Rose and Uncle Jack’s house across from Lake Banook in Dartmouth I have fond memories of my “cool cousin” John and his music making abilities. He was very much a quiet gentle soul who spent his life sharing his musical talent wherever he travelled.❤️
With love to Leslie, David and Judy who have lost their special brother.
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing !
I never met my cousin by I hear he lived his life on his terms ! Hugs to his family !
Patty Goodall
Sad that my brother John did not have more time on earth – 74 is not so old anymore. At least, he lived a good life, following his dreams and developing his talents. As Pat said, ‘he lived on his terms’, and I am sure that meant a lot to John. May he have the company of our siblings, Carol, Alan, Linda and Susan in the afterlife. Thanks to Leslie for the excellent obit.
Growing up in Montreal, it was always a treat to have a summer visit from uncle John from Halifax. He was a nomad, traveling far and wide seeking peace and quiet, and time to practice and play music on his guitar. We played games, chess or checkers, we camped out in the backyard with the mosquitos, we went swimming, we listened to music, played music together, and danced.
I have such special memories of those visits, and his sweet and tender heart.
Uncle John was a great guy to be around as a child. I have plenty of wonderful memories from back then and I will hold onto them dearly.