Gerard "Jerry" McKenna was born in Washington D.C. on July 9th, 1931. He was the eighth child and seventh son of Thomas McKenna and Mary Bresnahan McKenna. He spent two years of high school at St. Charles Prep Seminary in Catonsville, Maryland and then graduated from St. Johns High School in Washington D.C. He was Valedictorian of his class and was awarded a scholarship to Georgetown University. Jerry graduated from Georgetown with a Bachelor degree in Economics. He was selected for the Navy OCS ,and his Naval career started with tours of duty on the USS Vesole and the USS Courtney. He was later ordered to the USS Observation Island EAG-154 as Polaris Missile-Launch Officer. During this tour Jerry participated in the launching of 12 Polaris Missiles in the experimental categories, (A-1X and A-2X), and he assisted in the launching of Production category Polaris Missiles from the USS George Washington, the Patrick Henry, etc. During his Naval career he was later stationed in Pittsfield, Mass. where he was assigned the task of launching 70 Sea Sparrow missiles to prove the feasibility of adapting the Sparrow Missile for surface use. Jerry was then assigned to serve as the Operations Officer of the Naval Astronautics Group in Point Mugu, California. He later worked with the Naval Ship Weapon Systems Engineering Station.
Jerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus, third and Fourth Degrees for over 40 years. He is also a former Grand Knight of Oxnard Council 750. Jerry was a member of Santa Clara Church and where he was a Lector for over 30 years. He was most recently a member of Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo.
Jerry was proud of his Irish ancestry and his family. In 1956, Jerry married Jean Marie Shannon. They had four children; Gregory (wife Lisa), Susan McKenna, Corinne Storey (husband Brett), and Laura Miller (husband Paul). Jean passed away in 1985. Jerry was also very proud of his eleven grandchildren, Maxwell and Morgan McKenna, Shannon, Danielle, and Patrick Trevino, Bob, Sean, and Jacqueline Storey, and Brandon, Tara, and Megan Miller. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Ann Bernadette Pedersen whom he married in 1992. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas McKenna of Tampa, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to the love and support of his family, he was blessed with many wonderful friends in his life. Jerry was particularly appreciative of those who provided him love and comfort over the last few months of his life. To George, Ann, and his many friends he would say, "Slainte!"
Visitation will be held from 4 pm to 8 pm on Monday, December 5th with a Vigil service beginning at 6:30 pm at Santa Clara Mortuary, 2370 North H Street, Oxnard. Mass of Christian Burial will be held December 6th, 10 am, at Santa Clara Church, 323 South E Street, Oxnard. Burial will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery.