Obituary of Des McKenna
Thomas Desmond McKenna, fondly known as Des, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025 in Carleton Place, at the age of 75, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Des will be deeply missed by his devoted wife, Judy (Niedbala). He was the loving and proud father to Tricia Frias (Andy), Sarah Alexander (Steve), and Marek (Alison Dunn) and the cherished and loving Poppa to Delaney, Jesse, Sloane, Cameron, and Declan. Des is survived by his siblings, Jo Ann McKenna, Canice (Olga), Maureen Newton (Murray), Hugh (Julie), and Gerald. He leaves behind Judy’s family: his mother-in-law Joan Niedbala, Dawn (the late Michael), Mary Lou Carreau (Gaetan), Teresa Bouvier (Robert), and Jamie (Jen Sivilotti). Des was predeceased by his parents, William McKenna and Helen O’Grady and his brother, Christopher. He will also be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Des was a well-known and highly respected teacher in Perth, where he dedicated his career until his retirement in 2003. Following retirement, he found joy as a groundskeeper at the Mapleview Golf Course, a role he held until 2024.
A man of many passions, Des loved his home at Pike Lake. He spent his days boating, fishing, chopping wood, making maple syrup, shoveling a rink, making a tobaggan hill for his grandkids and tinkering with anything that needed fixing. Known for his quick wit, his “groaner humour,” and mischievous practical jokes, Des had a gift for bringing laughter and light into the lives of all those around him. Always sociable, he never missed the chance to strike up a conversation and connect with people wherever he went about anything and everything. Above all, Des treasured his family and the joy of being surrounded by loved ones.
He will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful soul whose legacy of warmth, humour, and love will continue to live on in all who knew him.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the Oncology teams at both Kingston Health Sciences Centre and the Perth & Smiths Falls Community Hospital, and to the care team at Carleton Place Terrace who cared for Des with kindness and dignity.
Friends are invited to visit with the family at the Blair and Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St. W. Perth, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 2:00PM-7:00PM. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday October 9, 2025 at the St. John Roman Catholic Church at 10AM, with interment to follow at St. John’s Parish Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Blair and Son Funeral Home, Perth, following the committal. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society: Multiple Myeloma division or the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital would be appreciated by the family.
