Mr. Francis J. "Frank" McKenney

Francis J. McKenney 1943-2021 Father~ Grandfather ~Friend Francis J. McKenney, “Frank”, “Fran”, “Mac”, lifelong resident of Lowell passed away Sept 7th with his family by his side. Frank was born Feb 5th 1943 son of the late Mildred P. (Becht) and Francis J. McKenney. He was educated in Lowell schools where he attended the Butler Jr. High and Lowell High School class of 1960. Frank enlisted in the Army at age 17, serving in active duty as a tank commander stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing his service, he began his career at New England Telephone as a cable splicer in 1962. He became President of the IBEW union local 2321 in 1974 and then elected Business Manager in 1988, a position he held until his retirement in 2006. Frank was a well-respected union leader and mentor, he guided his local through the ’89 strike where he fought successfully for healthcare and wages for his members, and was instrumental in helping to establish equal paying jobs for women and minorities during his tenure as business manager. Frank was a member of the Board of Directors at NMTWCU now Align Credit Union, since 1980 where he served as Vice Chair from 2000 to present. He supported many charities in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore including Make a Wish A former member of Stoney Brook Fish and Game in Westford, where he loved to fish, he also enjoyed golfing, camping, and the beach, especially at K7. Frank was an avid Boston sports fan and spent time at “the track” in Seabrook, and he loved to play cards. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, taking them on special trips to see the turkeys at Thanksgiving and Yoken’s around Christmas, always bringing back a trinket. He supported both his kids and grandkids attending many of their sporting events. He had a nickname for everyone and was affectionately called “Fran” by his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Elaine (Caunter) McKenney and five children; Shelagh and her husband Tim Pettingill and their children Liam and Kylie, Kathleen McKenney and William Byrne, and her son Christopher Goulet, Francis J. McKenney Jr. and his wife Amy and their children Keegan and Abigael. MaryBeth and her husband James Finn and their daughter Erin, and Gary and his wife Kristine, and their children Cameron, Jordyn and Myles. His Godchild Sarah Ralls, nieces and nephews Thomas and Kristin Ralls and Kathleen Ralls and Nate Kraft. Also his in laws Raymond Caunter, Paul and Maureen Miron, Joanne Ralls, and Priscilla Mullen, several cousins, dear friends and his beloved dog Nelly. Frank was the brother of the late Mary McKenney Moran who died in 1991, and brother in law of Thomas Ralls. McKENNEY—IN LOWELL, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 AT HIS HOME, FRANCIS J. McKENNEY, 78, A LIFELONG LOWELL RESIDENT. FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FAY MCCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL ON SUNDAY FROM 4 UNTIL 8 PM. FRANK’S FUNERAL WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY MORNING AT 9 O’CLOCK FROM THE FUNERAL HOME, FOLLOWED BY HIS FUNERAL MASS AT 10 O’CLOCK AT ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CHURCH, 374 STEVENS ST. LOWELL. BURIAL WILL FOLLOW IN ST. PATRICK’S CEMETERY, LOWELL. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE MAKE A DONATION IN FRANK’S MEMORY TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com

Mr. Francis J. "Frank" McKenney

February 5, 1943 - September 7, 2021