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Bernard Francis McKenna also known as "The Great Bernard," passed on February 3, 2023 in Charleston, SC. Bernard, aged 81, was well known and immeasurably loved in Billerica, MA ("God's Country" as he called it), where he was born on April 15, 1941. He graduated from Billerica Memorial High School and then served in the United States Army before later earning an associate's degree from Palo Verde College and a bachelor's degree from Boston State College. Bernard was heavily involved in sports throughout his life. In boxing, he won the Silver Mitten, was a two-time Golden Gloves winner, coached the AAU Junior Olympic Fighters, started the boxing team at the Billerica Boys and Girls Club, as well as boxing for the Army. He played football for Billerica (often noting he never lost to Chelmsford) as well as for the Army while stationed in Germany, assisted as coach for Wilmington High School, Billerica Memorial High School and Billerica Youth Leagues. Bernie also coached several of his daughter's sport teams and was a proud supporter of family/friends that participated in any sport. He was an emphatic sports spectator and challenged many referee/coach calls since he always knew what the best call should have been. During his life, Bernard was a teacher, owned his own Landscaping and later Property Manager company. Bernard was a testament to his late parents, James and Margaret (Chisholm) McKenna's exemplary example of kindness and generosity. He would give you the shirt off his back (and sometimes someone else's shirt too) to help anyone. It was impossible for Bernard to go anywhere and not make a friend. He treated everyone as if they were family and he loved his family immensely. Bernie treated his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children; the original cool/fun uncle. Bernard married the love of his life, "The Wife," Karen, on April 17, 1982. He took enormous pride in being a father and later grandfather. Bernie was the best father, blessing his three daughters with a home filled with love and laughter. Besides his wife, Bernard is survived by his daughters Kristen McKenna of Wilmington, NC, Nicole Reinecker and her husband Jon of Billerica, MA, and Dr. Lauren McKenna of Chicago, IL; his grandchildren Joseph and Mary Reinecker of Billerica, MA; his siblings, Al McKenna and his late wife Marion of Billerica, Estella Hoff and her husband Frank of Billerica, Richard McKenna and his wife Sandra of Billerica, Margaret Hartshorn and her husband Robert of Billerica, Florence Correa and her husband Arthur of Billerica, Marion Solazzo and her late husband John of Lowell, John McKenna and his wife Mary of Revere, Jane Honnors and her husband Robert of Pepperell, Christina Brown and her husband David of Billerica, Maryellen Morey and her husband David of Billerica, Julie Anderson of Billerica; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was the brother of the late James McKenna and his wife Hyacinth McKenna of Nashua, NH, the late Elaine Saunders and her husband Robert, and the late Colin McKenna and his wife Donna. To honor his memory and in lieu of flowers, the family asks everyone who cared for the Great Bernard to do a random act of love, kindness, or service to someone in need. Friends can also make donations in Bernie's memory to the Billerica Boys and Girls Club or St. Jude's Hospital. A celebration of life will be held in Bernard's honor later this summer in the Billerica area so that all those who wish, may have an opportunity to attend. Please sign the online guest book at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Tributes

Bernard Francis McKenna

April 15, 1941 - February 3, 2023