We received news on Monday morning that one of my former co-workers passed away after 2 years of battling with luekemia.
Michael McKenna was one heck of an irish boy, who worked as a sales representative at our San Francisco office. Being overweight and tall, he was loud too and loved teasing others with his obnoxious comments. We loved having him around so much, when he wasn’t in the office, the place get eerily quiet.
One day, some 2 years back, Michael was complaining that his foot was in pain. We teased him and told him that maybe cos he was overweight and some said that he had gout. He was screaming and said,'Oh be quiet, I'll be fine!'. The next day he went to Stanford Medical Center for a Dr's apppointment and never came back. Dr found out that he had acute luekemia. He went through chemotherapy and he looked fine the first 6 months. He even came to visit, didn’t lose a pound and was the same ole Michael.
But his health went downhill after that. He was in and out of the hospital, was in coma once and he lost about 150 lbs.
He left his 2 year old son Aidan and his beloved wife, Maria. I feel for his son, too young to know where his dad has gone to. Too young to know what sorrow is. A few days before he passed, he was talking to my co-worker, Ann over the phone. He said,'I really will not be able to see Aidan grow up. I am such a disappointment.' but Ann said, 'But you can be his guardian angel. You might not be physically here but you spirit will always be here with him.'
We're going to his funeral wake tonight. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning. Half of the office is going to be empty.
Need I go further? I am even weeping as I am typing this. It’s a self reflection on my life. Knowing that your life is going and normal and then one day, it can turn around and change.
Rest in peace Michael McKenna, we will remember you always.
McKENNA, Michael Vincent - Passed away at his residence in Millbrae, CA, on August 7, 2005, at age 34, after battling Leukemia for a year and a half. Beloved husband of Maria Patricia McKenna for six years. Loving father of Aidan McKenna who is 21/2 years old. Dear son of Vincent and Georgina McKenna. Dearest brother of Lisa McGoldrick (Ronald) and Fiona McKenna. Survived also by numerous other relatives. Michael was born in SF, and lived all of his life in Millbrae, CA. He was an avid soccer player and Glasgow Celtic supporter. Michael's wishes are for everyone to live strong and never give up. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Thursday, August 11, 2005 at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1720 Hillside Drive, Burlingame. A Vigil service will be held at 7:00pm Wednesday, August 10, 2005 also at the church. Interment is at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers donations in Michael's memory to the Lance Armstrong Foundation of Lemon Aid Foundation.
Published in the San Francisco Chronicle on 8/9/2005.
Michael McKenna was one heck of an irish boy, who worked as a sales representative at our San Francisco office. Being overweight and tall, he was loud too and loved teasing others with his obnoxious comments. We loved having him around so much, when he wasn’t in the office, the place get eerily quiet.
One day, some 2 years back, Michael was complaining that his foot was in pain. We teased him and told him that maybe cos he was overweight and some said that he had gout. He was screaming and said,'Oh be quiet, I'll be fine!'. The next day he went to Stanford Medical Center for a Dr's apppointment and never came back. Dr found out that he had acute luekemia. He went through chemotherapy and he looked fine the first 6 months. He even came to visit, didn’t lose a pound and was the same ole Michael.
But his health went downhill after that. He was in and out of the hospital, was in coma once and he lost about 150 lbs.
He left his 2 year old son Aidan and his beloved wife, Maria. I feel for his son, too young to know where his dad has gone to. Too young to know what sorrow is. A few days before he passed, he was talking to my co-worker, Ann over the phone. He said,'I really will not be able to see Aidan grow up. I am such a disappointment.' but Ann said, 'But you can be his guardian angel. You might not be physically here but you spirit will always be here with him.'
We're going to his funeral wake tonight. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning. Half of the office is going to be empty.
Need I go further? I am even weeping as I am typing this. It’s a self reflection on my life. Knowing that your life is going and normal and then one day, it can turn around and change.
Rest in peace Michael McKenna, we will remember you always.
McKENNA, Michael Vincent - Passed away at his residence in Millbrae, CA, on August 7, 2005, at age 34, after battling Leukemia for a year and a half. Beloved husband of Maria Patricia McKenna for six years. Loving father of Aidan McKenna who is 21/2 years old. Dear son of Vincent and Georgina McKenna. Dearest brother of Lisa McGoldrick (Ronald) and Fiona McKenna. Survived also by numerous other relatives. Michael was born in SF, and lived all of his life in Millbrae, CA. He was an avid soccer player and Glasgow Celtic supporter. Michael's wishes are for everyone to live strong and never give up. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Thursday, August 11, 2005 at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1720 Hillside Drive, Burlingame. A Vigil service will be held at 7:00pm Wednesday, August 10, 2005 also at the church. Interment is at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers donations in Michael's memory to the Lance Armstrong Foundation of Lemon Aid Foundation.
Published in the San Francisco Chronicle on 8/9/2005.
7 comments:
Ely : Sorry to hear about your friend. Makes me remeber my friend Malcolm. I have't called him for a long time. Need to do so soon.
my deepest condolences and heartfelt takziah to you, the grieving family and friends.
i am here if u need to talk.hang in there okay. *hugs*
auntyN, thanks. yeah i went to the wake last night. he left a love note for his wife, sadest thing
thanks for visiting ailin.
massy, yah, todays his funeral. half of the office will be gone again! saw his son, too tiny to know anything.
nazrah, thanks. i am ok. huggs
ely,
Sorry to hear about your friend's death.. My condolences to you and his family too..
hey ely..sorry to hear about yr friend's death. take care ok?
Elly,
Sorry to hear about your friend. My heart goes out to his wife and son. Life is so precious. My sister-in-law lost her beloved son about 6 weeks ago, and we are still in total shock. He was only 21 years old and got killed from a car accident. My hati sakit when I think about my sister-in-law lost. She is Dan's younger sister. Take care and regards to your family. Jul.
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