James McKenna, M.D.
June 22, 1936 - February 24, 2012

James McKenna, M.D., age 75, of Grosse Pointe Park, MI died Friday, February 24, 2012.
He was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY on June 22, 1936 to James and Ellen (ne McGrath) McKenna. Dr. McKenna earned his medical degree from National University of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland in 1963. He graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelors Degree in Engineering in 1958. Dr. McKenna is a 1954graduate of St. Patricks Preparatory School, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Dr. McKennas early career included engineering work at Otis Elevator and Westinghouse while he attended Seton Hall. Following graduation, he joined Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ. Later, after graduating from medical school, he completed his internship and general surgery residency at the United Hospitals of Newark-Presbyterian in Newark, NJ with special training under Dr. E.G. Glen Wever in the Physiology Lab at Princeton University. He completed his Ear, Nose & Throat surgical residency at Wayne State University, where he later joined as faculty. He served on staff at Harper Hospital, Childrens Hospital of Michigan and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Allen Park. Dr. McKenna was certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Facial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. He completed a fellowship in facial plastic surgery under Maury Parkes, M.D. in Beverly Hill, CA in 1968. He partnered in private practice in Detroit with Lyle G. Waggoner, M.D. and then with Jan Beekhuis, M.D. and Phillip Binns, M.D.He later joined Wilfred A. Riddell, M.D. in private practice in Livonia where he joined the staff of St. Mary Hospital. He retired from medical practice in 2000.
In retirement, Dr. McKenna was a member of the Senior Mens Club of Grosse Pointe where he enjoyed team bowling. He was a lifelong boating enthusiast. Dr. McKenna and his wife, Mary Ann (ne McKenna),were married for over 53 years and resided together in the Grosse Pointes for over forty years.
In addition to his wife, Dr. McKenna is survived by his four children and their spouses: James (Suzanne) McKenna V of St. Clair Shores, Patrick McKenna of Grosse Pointe Park, Bonnie (Mark Haas, M.D.) McKenna of Montclair, NJ, and Audrey (Rob Decker) McKenna of Roseville, MI; his sister Catherine McCullagh, Kensington, MD, and beloved sister-in-law Joan McKenna of Little Neck, NY; and five grand-daughters, CaileighMcKenna of Cleveland, OH, Molly McKenna of Minneapolis, MN, Madeleine and Elizabeth McKenna, both of St. Clair Shores, and Sophie Haas of Montclair, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Warming Center, 438 St. Antoine Street, Detroit, MI 48226.

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