Norwood High School Mourns Loss of Math Teacher, Golf Coach, and Former Junior High Vice Principal Following Tragic Accident
NORWOOD — The Norwood public school community and the entire town are in mourning following the sudden death of Daniel P. McKenna Jr., a dedicated educator, coach, and lifelong resident who touched the lives of generations of students.
McKenna, 52, passed away on Thursday, November 11, 1993, at Norwood Hospital. He had been hospitalized since suffering severe injuries from a fall off a ladder while cleaning gutters at his Norwood home the previous week. News of his passing sent shockwaves through Norwood High School, where students and faculty remembered him as an approachable mentor who went above and beyond to ensure student success.
Senior Ricky Grasso, who had classes with McKenna as a freshman, reflected, “He was a really great guy. I’ve stayed friends with him throughout my years at the high school. He really cared.” Fellow senior David Bartucca added, “He was one of my favorite teachers. He was always helping you out if you didn’t understand something.”
Principal George Usevich learned of the tragedy mid-morning and immediately notified the faculty. Arrangements were made to broadcast the somber news to students during homeroom via the school’s television channel, with guidance counselors stationed to assist grieving students. Retired Superintendent James Savage shared his deep sorrow, stating, “All of us are shocked and saddened considerably. He not only was a great teacher, his coaching was excellent.”
A Lifelong Educator and Pillars of Town Athletics
A proud 1959 graduate of Norwood High School, McKenna’s educational journey spanned three decades:
- Early Career: Began teaching in 1963 at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood before joining the Norwood public school system in 1965.
- Administrative Leadership: Served as head of the math department and later as vice principal at the now-closed Norwood Junior High School North on Prospect Street, where Superintendent Savage noted he successfully involved numerous pupils in statewide math competitions. He later returned to teaching mathematics at Norwood High.
- Academic Credentials: Earned degrees from Springfield College and Boston State College, along with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in administration from Boston State.
McKenna’s dedication to youth was matched only by his boundless passion for athletics. As the golf coach at Norwood High, he successfully revived the varsity golf program five years prior. Earlier in his career, he coached football and baseball at Norwood Junior High School South. Superintendent Savage observed, “He always wanted to be coaching something so he’d be near the students.”
Beyond scholastic sports, McKenna’s civic footprint was vast:
- Founded the Norwood Nitros semi-professional baseball team.
- Active leadership roles in the Little League and the town’s athletic boosters club.
- Worked during his college years as a supervisor for the town’s summer recreation program.
- Respected regional sports official, refereeing high school and collegiate football, basketball, and lacrosse across New England.
Surviving Family and Memorial Arrangements
Daniel P. McKenna Jr. is survived by his wife, Delia (Bernazzani) McKenna; his son, Brian P. McKenna of Norwood; his daughter, Donna M. McKenna of Norwood; and his sister, Diana Roberts of Monson.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Gillooly Funeral Home at 126 Walpole Street (Route 1A) in Norwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial donations be directed to Principal George Usevich at Norwood High School, Norwood, MA 02062.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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