It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Kevin John Edward Patrick McKenna, late of Spruce Home, SK on February 2nd, 2022, at the age of 86 years.
Kevin was born on the road beside the railway bridge, we can still see today. It was a warm June 1st, 1935, afternoon when his father delivered Kevin in the back of the wagon. Joseph, Mary, and Kevin carried on to the Holy Family hospital to be checked out and sent home the same day. Kevin was named after Kevin Barry, an Irish Republican Army soldier who was executed by the British during the Irish War of Independence at the age of eighteen years.
Kevin’s personality reflected in his delivery. He always loved getting up early, rushed around to start the day, and always preferred to be outdoors. Kevin has one sister Mary Becker, and three brothers, Thomas, Patrick, and Joseph.
Kevin started school at the age of seven years old. First, going to Cloverdale School from grade one to six then, White Star School for grade seven and eight. He did not like school, he preferred to be outside trapping or working. Kevin did get good grades in school and was excellent in math. The four mile walk one way did not bother him and as an adult he enjoyed long walks hunting.
Kevin’s first job was working for Robert Burke. The shift he worked was 7AM to 8PM for twenty cents an hour, with one hour off for lunch. The job was to plough, harrow, and then seed the crop. At harvest time, his wage jumped to twenty-five cents an hour for ten hours a day. Kevin felt rich. His love for the land always lived in him, so it was a difficult decision to stop farming when he was eighty years old.
Kevin’s second job started when he dropped out of grade eight to build grain elevators. The first elevator was in Henribourg, then Delisle, and his last elevator built was in Dodsland. Kevin only stopped because his brother Tom came and sent him back to school to graduate. Kevin was not afraid of heights at that age so he would be the person to cap off the peak of the roof. Kevin then had to slide down the sloped roof into a small opening under the eaves. The job was dangerous and Kevin was the determined to be an asset to the team.
After graduating at the age of fifteen, Kevin worked for Henry Ratt, Hole Drilling. He was digging water wells then went to work for Commonwealth Oil Drilling. He was moving equipment to drilling sites. Kevin’s mom missed having her boys around and asked Kevin to get a local job in Prince Albert.
That started his career with Burns Foods. Kevin work in many different divisions at Burns Foods. In the end he was in contracting cattle and pigs. This is the job he enjoyed the most because he always found ways to help the farmers. The experience produced long lasting friendships that held on till the day he died. Kevin kept in contact with many people throughout the years with phone calls.
Kevin was a family man. He had three family eras. Kevin’s first wife was Marie Reynish. They were married in 1957, and divorced 1984. Together they had three children Bernie was born in 1958, Brenda was born in 1960 and she passed in 2017, and Byron was born in 1971 and passed in 2003. Kevin’s son Bernie has one son Kyle; he was born 1988. Kyle married Marissa, and they have two children Maverick and Mila. Brenda has two daughters Aime and Shyanne. Aime was born in 1987 and she married Angus, together they have a daughter Emma. Shyanne was born in 1987 and she was spiritually adopted by Brenda and Rick.
Kevin’s second family was with Pam Herzog in 1986. Kevin was father to two children Shawn and Shane. Shawn was born in 1987, he married Marischa. Shane was born in 1989 and is with Rochelle.
Kevin’s third family is with Heather Vansil, they have been together since 2000. She has two daughters Crystal and April, which lived with Kevin. Crystal was born in 1983 and married Lee with five children Randin, LeeAnna, Cale, Ashley, and Aime. April was born in 1988 and is with partner Rob and they have one child Kayleigh.
Kevin enjoyed travel his entire life, but he preferred driving to a location and seeing the sites. Kevin occasionally went with family or friends driving as far as Mexico, San Francisco, and many times to Las Vegas. He did wonder oversees to Punta Cana in 2007, this was the first time Brenda ever saw her dad relaxed with his shoes off. Kevin also went to Ireland in 2009 to see family, then to Cuba in 2016.
Kevin life influenced many families. His interactions with clients trickled down to fond memories for the children. Those children being adults now would stop and introduce themselves and regal a story about earlier times. The conversation was always generous or humorous but most importantly a happy memory. Kevin would instantly remember the parents’ names and locations of the farms.
A funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Wednesday, February 9th, 2022, at 2 PM. The interment will take place at White Star Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at www.mackenziechapel.ca. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium. Brian & Bev Stobbs, Mark Gyoerick – Matayah Loyst – Mel Curle. 306.763.8488.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kevin John Edward Patrick McKenna Wednesday February 2nd 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Prince-Albert,, Province: Saskatchewan