Obituary of Gerard McKenna

On the morning of May 14th 2026, Gerard Michael McKenna (“Gerry”) of Somers, New York, was called to the Lord and to again join the love of his life, Cathleen McKenna.

Gerry was born to Michael and Margaret McKenna on July 15th 1940 and grew up in the South Bronx, New York, alongside his two sisters, Peggy Ann Leahy and Sister Amadeus McKenna (“Birdie”). He attended Regis High School, a Jesuit institution to which he felt forever indebted. While on academic scholarship, Gerry graduated from Boston College, where he played basketball and served in the US Army ROTC. In later years, Gerry also earned an MPA and MBA from Golden Gate University and Baruch College.

After serving as personal aide to Brig. General Charles “Monk” Meyer, in 1966, Captain McKenna deployed to Vietnam. There, he eventually took command of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a unit engaged in airmobile operations within the Ia Drang Valley. For his service, Gerry earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and a Bronze Star. He carried the names of those lost with him until the end. Gerry spent the next 25 years in the Army National Guard and Reserves, a stint which included graduating from the Army War College, serving as the commander of the Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment, and receiving the Legion of Merit. As Colonel McKenna loved to say, he retired from the Army with “30 years, 29 days” of service, the maximum the law would let him stay.

Upon his return from Vietnam in 1967, Gerry met the love of his life, Cathleen McKenna (“Cathy”). The two worked closely together for several years before he had the courage to ask her on a date. Their love grew quickly over their shared sense of humor and love of travel. After a brief courtship, Gerry and Cathy were married on October 27th 1973 and began their lives together in Park Chester, New York. In 1977, Cathy fell in love with Somers, New York, where the two would then share the next forty-five years together building a family.

In a close-knit household, Gerry and Cathy raised three children, Daniel, Marshall and Jennifer. A deeply engaged father, Gerry never missed his children’s sporting events and guided their academic and intellectual development. Led by Gerry and Cathy, the family were active members of St. Patrick’s in Bedford, where Gerry chaired the Parish Council and frequently volunteered as trash collector and security at school functions. 

In his civilian career, Gerry rose through ranks as a commercial lending officer for several large international banks. Always the talker, he enjoyed building rapport with his clients and would regale the family with (repeated) stories of deals won and lost.  Outside of work, one of Gerry’s greatest pleasures was mentoring young people and providing support as they faced career crossroads or other life challenges.

As their children grew, Gerry and Cathy took great pride in sharing the dream home they’d built, where Cathy had designed every detail. One of their favorite activities was to sip a glass of wine on the deck, watch the geese in the backyard, and plan their family’s future.  You could also find them watching movies with their dogs Liffey, and later Evan, as Gerry worked his way through a stack of books next to the sofa.  

Over time, the family of five quickly became eight with the addition of his children’s spouses, Natalie (Daniel), Kaitlyn (Marshall), and Paul (Jennifer). Gerry took great pleasure in getting to know each of them and celebrating in their successes. No conversation with Gerry ever ended without the person knowing exactly how proud he was of his children and their partners. While devastated from Cathy’s passing in 2022, Gerry took some comfort in that he could guide five grandchildren (Noelle, Patrick, Madeline, Declan, and Emily) and tell them all about their Grandma Cathy.

His legacy of service and resilience will live on for generations to come.

Family and Friends are invited to celebrate his life at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY on Friday, May 22 from 5-8 PM.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, 7 Pound Ridge Road, Bedford, NY on Saturday May 23 at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven, 10 W Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may also support Regis High School.