James Richard McKenna

Rye - James Richard McKenna of Rye, NH, formally Littleton, MA went on his final foliage tour and passed away in his sleep on November 23, 2023; he was 92 years old. Born on March 13, 1931, in Concord, MA, Jim was the son of the late Joseph H. McKenna and Gertrude F. (Mara) McKenna. Jim was raised and educated in Concord, MA where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He then attended St. Bonaventure University and St. Michael's College on a full football scholarship. Later, Jim attended graduate school at UMass Amherst and Fitchburg State College and received his master's in health and physical education. Jim married Martha Fougstedt on November 24, 1956. He joined the Army and worked in the Intelligence Division and was stationed in Germany for three years. Jim and Martha made their home in Littleton, MA, where they raised eight children. After retirement, Jim and Martha resided in Rye, NH and Clearwater, FL. During high school, Jim contracted polio and had to relearn how to walk, this established his fighting spirit which he carried with him throughout his life. Jim started his teaching and coaching careers at North Middlesex Regional High School and Ayer High School, but is best remembered for being the Athletic Director, physical education teacher, and coach at Littleton High School. He began teaching in Littleton in 1964 and soon established Littleton’s first football team. Jim was immensely proud to be inducted into the Massachusetts Coaches Hall of Fame and to Concord High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Jim retired in 1988 from Littleton and went on to work with troubled youths. He was predeceased by his loving and patient wife, Martha, to whom he was married for 61 years, Jim leaves his eight children, Shawn and his significant other, Shirley Ingram, of Seabrook, NH, Dennis and Cathy (Popp) of Stamford, NY, Martha and Andy Pierce of Ayer, MA, Theresa and Richard McGrath of Lunenburg MA, Timothy of Ayer, MA, Nora and Lenny Leonardo of Groton, MA, Sheila and Eric Kish of Littleton, MA, and Julia and Pete Dunn of Littleton, MA. His grandchildren: Derek, Daniel, Amy, Britney, Siobhan, Sam, Dennis, Rachele, Renee, Devin, David, Stephen, Lowell, Angela, Erin, Jamie, Paul, Heather, Luke, Garrett, Jason, and Kylie, and 14 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings Joe McKenna, Gertrude (Sis) McKenna, Leo McKenna, Margaret Ann Hawksworth, and Maureen Forrester. The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dawn, Deb, and Claudette from Extended Family LLC in Portsmouth. The love and care you showed Jim is more than we could have asked for and our gratitude is immeasurable. Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Jim for a period of visitation on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the Remick and Gendron Funeral Home, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH 03842. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa Church, 820 Central Road, Rye Beach, NH, 03871. Burial with Military Honors will be held at Rye Central Cemetery immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation by clicking here or March of Dimes by clicking here

James Richard McKenna

March 13, 1931 - November 23, 2023