Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alexander Raymond McKenna. He died suddenly at home in Toronto on Wednesday, December 8th – one day after his 81st birthday.
Alex leaves behind his wife, Louise, his daughters Tracy McKenna, Corry Haslam (David), Deborah McKenna (James), son Mark (Laura) and his six grandchildren, Liam, Calum, Gavin, Ben, Sean and Mason.
He will be dearly missed by his sisters Shirley Leggett, Bernice Thompson (Don), Linda Haist (David), sisters-in-law, Judy Heyes (Brian), Margie Lisk (Steve), and 18 nieces and nephews.
Known to his family and close friends by his nickname, Buck, and affectionately called Pop Pop by his grandsons, Alex was born December 7, 1940, to Alex and Marie McKenna in Long Branch, Ontario. Alex lived in Etobicoke for all his 81 years; growing up, raising his own family, and watching his grandchildren forge their own connection to the community.
Alex had a long and dedicated career in Fire Services. For 23 years, he was a proud member of the Toronto Fire Department. Joining in 1963, he served eight years in the Fire Fighting Division, ten years as a Captain in Fire Prevention and his final five years as Director of Training at the Toronto Fire Academy. Alex honed his talent for teaching while serving, and taught Fire Protection Technology at George Brown College, the Ontario Fire College and the Toronto Fire Academy.
Following his early retirement from TFS, Alex joined the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office as the Assistant Chief of Fire Safety and Inspection Services. He continued to consult well into his seventies, working for the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services as a Fire Safety Analyst. Alex’s Fire Services Career spanned more than 50 years.
In addition to his Fire Service, Alex had the privilege of serving as an Aide de Camp to former Ontario Lieutenant Governors, James Bartleman and David Onley. He also spent countless hours volunteering, serving as an advisor to the Canadian Standards Association, volunteering with Scouts Canada, and his hometown hockey club, the Mimico Canadians.
The real highlight of Alex’s life was his family. He was a dedicated husband to his wife of more than 50 years, a loving father to his children, and devoted grandfather to all six of his grandsons. Alex was an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer and avid woodworker. In his retirement years, if he wasn’t travelling with his wife, his time was spent in his woodshop, designing, and building furniture for family and working on projects with his grandsons. He leaves this world having shared much knowledge and wonderful values with his family.
A service in memory of Alex will be held Saturday December 18th at 1:00 p.m. and visitation will follow 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Ridley Funeral Home, 3080 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Etobicoke 416-259-3705. The service will be for family only but may be viewed on-line through Ridley’s after the fact. Messages of Condolence may be placed at www.RidleyFuneralHome.com.
Donations in memory of Alex, may be made to The Scott Mission.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Alexander Raymond McKenna December 7 2021
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Décès pour la Ville:Toronto, Province: Ontario
avis deces Alexander Raymond McKenna December 7 2021
December 8 2021
avis mortuaire Alexander Raymond McKenna December 7 2021
December 8 2021