Donald Hamilton McKenney, 88
Dateline: Norton, MA
Don (Donald Hamilton) McKenney – passed peacefully with family surrounding him at the age of 88 at his home in Norton, Massachusetts on Monday, December 19, 2022. Don passed from this life in the same way he had lived: in peace, and with dignity and grace. Don is survived by the love of his life Margie (Margaret Gendron). They have been married for 65 years and have three children - Scot McKenney, Valerie Garcia and her husband Tom, Debbie Sullivan and her husband Paul and seven grandchildren – Samantha, Carly, Amanda, Cole, Justin, Matt and Robbie. Don was born in Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada. He was the beloved son of John and Etta (Hamilton) McKenney. The brother of Glen McKenney and his wife Margaret of Smith Falls, Ontario and Mary McKibbon of Ontario and he is preceded in death by his youngest sister Dorothy Wylie as well Don leaves many nieces and nephews.
Don’s passion was hockey playing in the NHL between 1954 and 1968 with five teams including the NY Rangers, St Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leaf’s where he won the Stanley Cup in 1964.
But the best years were those spent in Boston with the Boston Bruins, serving proudly as captain from 1961 to 1963. The friendships formed while in Boston lasted a lifetime.
Don was a true gentleman and never one to draw attention to himself; his legacy comes instead from what he enjoyed most mentoring and coaching through the years starting at his hockey school – All Star Hockey School - to coaching so many fine young men at Northeastern University. He touched so many lives through hockey and was proud to be part of so many young people’s lives.
Don’s comfort in the off seasons was always his favorite place – Onset Island. He summered there for over 30 years with Margie and the family and found such good friends and happiness there.
Don had made his home in Norton for the past twenty-two years and was a former thirty-nine-year resident of Braintree. While living in Norton he was a member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church and while residing in Braintree was a member of the Old South Union Church in Weymouth Square.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, December 28th from 3:00-5:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at the conclusion of visitation on Wednesday at 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Donald’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the charity of one’s choice.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com