Providence Judge and State Representative Keven McKenna Dies at 77

Providence Judge and State Representative Keven McKenna Dies at 77

Keven Alexander McKenna, 77, of Providence, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, March 4, 2022. Born in Westerly, he was the oldest son of the late Eugene and Rita (Alexander) McKenna.

A graduate of Westerly High School, Keven went on to Georgetown University and afterward obtained a MPA from Syracuse University. Keven then went on to Georgetown Law School and passed the Foreign Service Officer Exam.

Keven devoted his early career to public service starting with his appointment by President Lyndon B. Johnson as the Special Assistant to the Secretary for Legislation. From 1969-72, he served as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell. Afterward, he was special counsel to Gov. Philip W. Noel; and from 1975-76, he was a Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General. From 1979-85, Keven served as a RI State Representative for House District 10, Providence-North Providence; and from 1984-92, he served as Providence Municipal Court Judge. From 1985-86, he was president of the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention.

Keven was a tireless legal defender of all, regardless of their financial or social status. His public advocacy for the underserved and against injustice was extensive over his career. He led the Providence Reform Coalition in the 1980s, led the recovery of R.I. credit union funds for depositors in the 1990s, drove the passage of state laws for handicapped and disabled and the Rhode Island CHIPs insurance program.

He was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence, a member of the Knights of Columbus and The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He was also a member of the American Judges Association. His community activities included: Volunteer Counsel to Silverlake Senior Citizens; Harvey Clements Senior Citizens; Summit Avenue School group; Providence Taxpayers Association; member of Common Cause; and member of the R.I. Mental Health Association.

He was an avid sports fan who would always cheer for his favorite teams, including Providence College, Georgetown basketball, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots.

His beloved children survive him, Sean K. McKenna of Middletown, Christopher B. McKenna (Maureen) of Pawtucket, Damian A. McKenna (Jessica) of Lafayette, CA, Mary-Kathryn Aranda (Victor) of Dedham, MA, and Joseph M. McKenna of Tempe, AZ, his siblings, Marylen McKenna, Ward McKenna (Mary Beth), Gregory McKenna (Maril), and Roberta Palmer (Bill), eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2022, from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM at THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 179 Academy Avenue, Providence. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, Old Mystic, CT.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to Alzheimer’s Association ( https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=733736 ) or the Religious Sisters of Mercy ( http://www.sistersofmercy.org/donate/) are greatly appreciated.