Frank Kenna Jr. ‘50
Brother • Class of 1950
Frank Kenna Jr.
Frank Kenna, Jr., 91, beloved husband of Joan Giese Kenna for 64 years, passed away on July 30, 2015 in the Health Center of Evergreen Woods, Branford, after battling a series of illnesses. Frank, a longtime resident of Woodbridge, was the son of the late Frank Kenna, Sr. and Vertie Kenna. He was born in New Haven on December 27, 1923.
Frank attended the Hopkins School in New Haven and graduated from the Choate School in Wallingford. He attended Yale University, where he was a member of the class of 1945W, and left during World War II to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps where he served in the 5th Amphibious Force seeing action in the Marshall Islands. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and continued his education at Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam, N.Y., where he majored in mechanical engineering.
Frank then went to work in his family’s businesses, The Marlin Firearms Co., a manufacturer of sporting arms, and The Marlin Co., a provider of workplace communications. He began his career as a toolmaker and progressed over the years, finally becoming President and CEO of both companies. Frank was a member of the boards of the First New Haven National Bank (now the Connecticut National Bank), The Second National Bank (now the Colonial Bank), the United Illuminating Company, and a former trustee of the Connecticut Savings Bank. He served on the examining committee of Northwestern Mutual Life in 1979 and chaired the committee in 1980. He was a founding member of the Connecticut Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and a past president of the Manufacturers Association. He was also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and later a member of its graduate branch, the World Presidents’ Organization.
Frank was an active community volunteer. He served as campaign chairman of the United Way and was a member of the Newcomen Society. He was on the Board of Yale New Haven Hospital as well as the Rehabilitation Center of New Haven (now Easter Seals Goodwill). He was Chairman of the US Savings Bonds CT Campaign in 1996. Having great interest and zest for life, Frank was an avid golfer, hunter and skier. He was a wonderful dancer and had a great appreciation for music. Outgoing and gregarious, he enjoyed learning the interests of other people. He was a member of the New Haven Country Club, the New Haven Lawn Club, the Quinnipiac Club, the Madison Beach Club, the Hammonasset Fishing Association and the Madison Lawn Bowlers.
Frank was a loving and supportive husband and father who saw and encouraged the best in everyone. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and by his daughters, Margaret A. Kenna, Cynthia K. Mullins, and Christine J. Kenna; sons, Frank Kenna III (Kimberly), H. Robert Kenna (Karen) and Matthew G. Kenna (Janet), as well as sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings Roger Kenna, Anita K. Doonan, Elizabeth K. Lynch and his twin brother, Gilbert Kenna.