John Paul McKenney

Devoted husband, AT&T executive, craftsman, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, World War II veteran John P. McKenney died peacefully on July 30, 2025 at the age of 98.

Jack was the oldest of four children born to E. Paul and Isabel McKenney (Murphy) in Danbury, CT on Flag Day, June 14, 1927. During his senior year of high school, at the age of 17, he left home to join the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II. Following his honorable discharge in July 1946, he worked in construction before enrolling at the University of Connecticut on a football scholarship. He left after one season before continuing his college education at Mount St Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD under the GI Bill. His method of traveling the 300 miles from home to the Mount and back was predominantly hitchhiking. He earned a degree in Economics in 1952 after his election as junior and senior class president.

On June 30, 1952 he married the love of his life, M. Jane Connors, a school teacher also from Danbury and with whom he shared numerous connections. Their total and endless devotion led to 73 years of happiness and wedded bliss. When asked his key to enduring love and marriage he would crack a wry smile, nod towards his wife and say "Be a good listener."

After an overnight honeymoon in New York City, Jack and Jane settled in Martinsville, VA where he worked for DuPont manufacturing and they welcomed the birth of their daughter Claire in 1953. Wanting to be close to family they returned to Danbury in 1957 and Jack began a long career in telecommunications with the Southern New England Telephone Company. They welcomed their son Bill in 1962.

In 1970 Jack and Jane built a cabin in the woods near Lake Horace in Weare, NH, which was his pride and joy. He loved carpentry, making furniture, carving birds, and perhaps most of all working outside- clearing brush, landscaping, gathering firewood and building stone walls. Following several hours of labor he would relax by playing golf, swimming and enjoying the lake with Jane on their sailboat or in their canoe.

A job opportunity with AT&T took them to Atlanta from 1978 to 1980, before returning to Connecticut prior to Jack's retirement and move to Fearrington Village, NC in 1985. Jack was an active member of the Fearrington community, serving as a board member on the Fearrington Homeowners Association, volunteering for handyperson services with Fearrington Cares, and replacing the basketball net on the small court in the community field behind his home countless times. He found great satisfaction in his work for Chatham County Habitat for Humanity.

Jack was known for his gregarious Irish personality and wit, his work ethic, a very firm handshake, his ability to make things with his hands, his fondness for singing, and a hard liquor drink every evening, typically followed by wine. He was relentlessly fair and honest in his interactions with others, though he did not suffer fools gladly, often lamenting that the number of horse's asses "out there" far outnumber horses. Jack was a proud Democrat who was completely dismayed by the dysfunction of his nation's government and current political climate. He was predeceased by his three siblings and their spouses Jim (Ritzie), Rita (Mike and Jim) and Mary Lou (Terry). He leaves his beloved wife of 73 years, Jane, their two children, Claire (Jim) of Ipswich, MA and Bill of Chevy Chase, MD, four grandchildren (Leah, Aaron (Olivia), Jack and Lila) and a great granddaughter (Rose).

A memorial service is pending.