Left lasting legacy to his beloved Cavan

THE death occurred at Cavan General Hospital on Tuesday of last week of Mr Thomas MacKenna KSS, KCHS, KSC, Farnham Street, Cavan, following a brief illness. He was aged 91 and as a business man and dedicated worker for charitable causes he played an active role in the life of Cavan town and wider region for over seventy years. Tom was born in July 6, 1920, in Bridge Street, Cavan, into what Fr Kevin Donohoe, Adm described as "an Ireland on the cusp of a new future, about to mark out its own future and destiny on the world stage". In his youth he had the distinction of being one of the very few boys to attend Loreto College, Cavan, along with his life-long friend Willie O'Hanlon, both of whom were in Miss Donnelly's class. He later attended primary school in Belturbet, taking the train every day from Cavan Railway Station, a trip he thoroughly enjoyed. He attended St Patrick's College, Cavan for a few years and in his late teenage years finished his schooling in St Vincent's College, Castleknock. Here Tom forged a number of lifelong friendships. Among his peers were former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave; Supreme Court Justice Tony Hederman and Taxing Master, David Bell. These friendships were celebrated last June when the 'boys' got together to mark Tony Hederman's 90th birthday. After his formal education he decided to do a little travelling which brought him across Europe where he developed a great love of Formula 1 racing. In fact at one time he was in the pit in 1951 as assistant to one of the world's greatest racing drivers of the 20th century Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio. Son of the late Edward J. and Mary MacKenna (nee McAllister), an only child, he took over the management of MacKenna tailoring and outfitting in Bridge Street on the death of his father in 1948. He assumed this responsibility with real enthusiasm and with great foresight pursued a career in handcraft tailoring. In the same year Tom served a customer who was later to become his wife, Kathleen McKiernan, a native of Corlesmore. They were married in September 1952 and Tom's travelling itch was present even then as the honeymoon took them to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Milan, Nice and Zurich. He was the recipient of a number of honours, religious and lay, for his work in assisting charities in the local community. One of those presentations was on his 90th birthday in July 2010 when he was honoured at a function in Hotel Kilmore. He received a presentation from the Mayor of Cavan, Paddy O'Reilly, who praised him for his work in the formation of a number of organisations that benefited the people of Cavan. He was a founder member of Cavan Chamber of Commerce, serving on the National Council of the Association of Chambers of Commerce of Ireland, Cavan Social Services Council, Cavan Credit Union, Cavan Vintage Motor Club and Co Cavan Motor Club. He was among those who were behind the setting up of Northern Sound Radio in 1989. Tom's generosity knew no bounds and he provided the town with an illuminated crib for a number of years. He was supportive of everything that was good for Cavan. He was invited to join the local Council of the Knights of St Columbanus in 1948 and held various offices in that organisation at local, provincial and national level. He was the first Diocesan representative for the Diocese of Kilmore on the National Council for the Laity. A member of the Pro-Life National Executive he was the convenor for Co. Cavan of the Pro-Life Campaign for each of the Referenda on Anti-Abortion and Anti-Divorce campaigns. In July, 1999 he, along with Kevin Kilduff, was conferred with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, one of the oldest of the Papal knighthoods dating back to 1122, at a ceremony in St Patrick's College, Maynooth and received a further honour to Knight Commander. The investiture on that occasion was during concelebrated mass in which the chief celebrant was Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Sean Brady. It was Mr MacKenna's second Papal Knighthood. On 14 September 1997 he was created a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester, the first in the diocese of Kilmore to receive such an honour. Mr MacKenna ran a successful drapery and tailoring business in Bridge Street for many years with his wife Kathleen, who also ran a bar and grocery business in Main Street before the couple retired in 1996. Tom lived a happy, contented life spurred on by his giving nature both in his business and personal life. He was immensely proud of his family and their achievements. He was a gentleman and we are the poorer for his loss. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Mannix and Tomas; daughters, Lily and Marie; brothers-in-law John and Francie McKiernan; sister-in-law Sr Proinnsias and a number of cousins. There was a Guard of Honour of KSS, KHS and KSC members of the Knights at the removal of the remains and at the funeral. The funeral was on Friday last from the Cathedral of Ss Patrick & Felim, following concelebrated Mass to Killygarry cemetery. Chief celebrant was Rev Anthony Fagan, PP Killinkere, provincial Chaplain of KSC. Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore presided. Among the attendance were members of the various orders of the Knights including His Excellency, Nicholas MacKenna, Lieutenant of KHS, Ireland; H.E. Joseph McDonnell, KCSC, Dublin, Past Lieut. of KHS; Bernard Burns, Belfast, Supreme Knight, Knights of St Columbanus. Also among the attendance was former Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Joe Duffy. Among the tributes to the late Mr MacKenna was one from St Vincent's Castleknock College Past Pupils Union. For more obituaries, see this week's Anglo-Celt.