John McKenna, a prominent member of the travel industry and former vice-chairman of the RBC Insurance Group, passed away recently in Kitchener, Ontario.
McKenna's family announced the passing of "our beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and great-grandfather" in an obituary in the Wellington Advertiser. He was 86.
He was born in Montreal, Quebec, where he began his professional career as a personnel administration manager for Air France. He later did sales for Air France before joining Voyageur Travel Insurance as a district sales manager. A subsequent promotion to VP sales eastern Canada required a move to Brampton, ON.
Voyageur grew into a national company and McKenna rose to become its president before it was purchased by the Royal Bank of Canada. Prior to his retirement, John sat on the Board of Directors of the RBC Insurance Group as vice-chairman.
"John was an industry leader, a business partner and man, a friend, husband, father, papa, great papa and mentor to many and he will be forever missed," the obituary stated.
"He was a caring and loving man who adored his family. He took pride in his Irish heritage and loved its music and history. His sound advice, wisdom and generosity will be missed along with his telling of many hilarious life stories."
"I can't even begin to tell you how much John McKenna meant to me," says John Kirk, founder and editor-in-chief of TravelPulse Canada. "He was a mentor to so many of us 20-25 years ago. The Voyageur travel 'suite' at so many conferences were legendary and he was always at the centre of it all."
Kirk says McKenna was also the author of one of his favourite lines about golf.
"John said: 'I didn't lose my ball. I know exactly where it is … at the bottom of that pond.' My condolences go out to Mary-Ann and the entire family."
There will be a Celebration of Life for John McKenna on June 25, 2022 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275 Fergus, ON. Charitable donations can be made directly at this branch. Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519-772-1237.
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