Senate Resolution No. 2291

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

MOURNING the death of Gerard Michael McKenna,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Gerard Michael McKenna, of Somers, New York, died on May
14, 2026, at the age of 85; and

WHEREAS, Gerard Michael "Gerry" McKenna was born to Michael and
Margaret McKenna in South Bronx, New York, on July 15, 1940; he had two
sisters, Peggy Ann Leahy and Sister Amadeus "Birdie" McKenna; and

WHEREAS, Gerard McKenna attended Regis High School, a Jesuit
institution to which he felt forever indebted; while on academic
scholarship, he graduated from Boston College where he played basketball
and served in the United States Army ROTC; and

WHEREAS, In later years, Gerard McKenna also earned a Master of
Public Administration and Master of Business Administration from Golden
Gate University and Baruch College; and

WHEREAS, After serving as personal aide to Brigadier General Charles
"Monk" Meyer, in 1966, Captain Gerard 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; and

WHEREAS, For his service, Gerard McKenna earned the Combat
Infantryman's Badge and a Bronze Star; he carried the names of his
fellow servicemen who lost their lives; he spent the next 25 years in
the Army National Guard and Reserves, a period of time which included
graduating from the Army War College, serving as the commander of the
Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment, and receiving the Legion of Merit; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return from Vietnam in 1967, Gerard McKenna met
the love of his life, Cathleen; the two worked closely together for
several years before he had the courage to ask her for a date; their
love grew quickly, sharing a sense of humor and love of travel; and

WHEREAS, After a brief courtship, Gerard and Cathleen McKenna were
married on October 27, 1973, and began their lives together in Park
Chester, New York; in 1977, Cathleen fell in love with Somers, New York,
where the two would then share the next 45 years together, building a
family; and

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

WHEREAS, In his civilian career, Gerard McKenna rose through the
ranks as a commercial lending officer for several large international
banks; 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 his greatest pleasures was mentoring young people and providing
support as they faced career crossroads or other life challenges; and

WHEREAS, Over time, the family of five quickly became eight with the
addition of the children's spouses, Natalie (Daniel), Kaitlyn
(Marshall), and Paul (Jennifer); Gerard McKenna took great pleasure in
getting to know each of them and celebrating their successes; and

WHEREAS, No conversation with Gerard McKenna ended without the
knowledge of exactly how proud of his children and their partners he
was; after his wife's death in 2022, he found comfort in guiding his
five grandchildren, Noelle, Patrick, Madeline, Declan, and Emily, and
telling them all about their Grandma Cathy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Gerard Michael McKenna and to honor his enduring
legacy; his legacy of service and resilience will live on for
generations to come, and he will be deeply missed and lovingly
remembered by all who knew him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Gerard Michael McKenna.