Long Island Irish leader Edward McKenna dead at 85

Edward C. McKenna of Williston Park passed away recently at the age of 85. Born in New York City, his parents were from Drumquin, Co. Tyrone. He lived and worked in Manhattan before marrying Ellen F. Kelly in 1938. They moved to Queens before establishing their home for the next 50 years in St. Aidan’s parish in Williston Park, L.I. He was the father of three, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of three. He is also survived by his brother and sister. He was retired from J.C. Penney, having been credit manager of their Roosevelt Field store.

Mr. McKenna was an accomplished musician, playing piano, violin and accordion, focusing on traditional Irish music. He served as president of the County Tyrone Society as early as 1940 and several times thereafter. He was an officer of the organization at the time of his death. He was the only non-playing member of the United Irish Pipe Bands Association and was a proud member of the ancient Order of Hibernians from his youth until his passing. He was an active member of the United Irish Counties Association, serving on the parade committee for many years. He was chosen as an aide to the Grand Marshal in 1985. He chaired the UICA Feis in 1983 and was elected to the Irish Hall of Fame that same year. He was one of the founding members of the Traditional Irish Musicians Association in the New York area and continued his role as champion of traditional Irish music through the Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann. He has been honored by Irish organizations throughout the New York metropolitan region.

He is perhaps best known, however, for his leadership in the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. Members since 1947, he and his wife, Ellen, were the driving force behind the establishment of the Irish American Center in Mineola in 1953. Through that organization and center, he gave life to a rich Irish cultural tradition, including the establishment of the championship Inis Fada Gaelic Pipe Band, world renowned Irish step dancers, traditional Irish ceili dancing, and the celebration of St. Patrick at a wonderful parade originally through Hempstead, and now in Garden City. He was one of the key founders of the Irish cultural night at Eisenhower Park each summer and enjoyed accompanying some of Long Island’s finest musicians and entertainers in celebration of their Irish heritage..

In his and his wife’ s honor, his family has established a scholarship fund, to be administered through the Irish American Society, to benefit Irish and Irish American youth.