Obituary for Daniel Joseph “POPS” McKenna Born in Providence, Rhode Island, “Mike” Daniel Joseph McKenna was born in 1933. Mike died just days before his 85th birthday. In his family, he was the last child born and had 2 older sisters.
They doted on him as the only son in the family. They gave him the nic-name “Bud”. When he became of age to drive, he spent his time working on cars because his sisters didn’t want him to hurt himself playing football.
When illegal street racing landed him in front of a Judge at the age of 16, the Judge told “Bud” to make a choice, go to Jail or choose a Military branch. Mike chose the Marines. He proudly served time during the Korean war as Sgt.
Daniel J. McKenna. When he came back stateside, he landed in Los Angeles and worked as a telephone lineman. Mike was the owner of a local Stationary store and ran the local town Paper, The Lamplighter, in La Mirada California.
Mike eventually became part owner of the Orange County International Raceway. Then Datsun was looking to come to America and looking for dealers. They offered Pops and his best friend (Uncle Bob) an opportunity to open dealerships.
Sun Datsun for Mike and Moon Datsun for Uncle Bob. This was the beginning of good times in the Automotive business. Since then, there have been many car dealerships along the way: Volkswagen, Ford, Isuzu, Laforza, Hummer, Mazda, Porsche, Audi, Rolls Royce, to name a few.
When he decided to slow down, Mike asked his son Danny to purchase the stores in Southern California and Mike moved to Oahu. He bought a small dealership from Volkswagen of America right in Down Town Honolulu. The customers loved how he did business.
They shared their Aloha Spirit with him and he embraced living Aloha! Pops was honest, fair and very present with all that worked with him on the showroom, in the service drive and in the body shop. Mike enjoyed being apart of the Honolulu community.
He gave many contributions to surrounding communities. Mike’s favorite contribution was made to the Hawaiian Humane Society! Pops took fashion queues from nobody!
His signature style was a Reyn Spooner shirts, shorts and deck shoes. Always with a pipe or a stogie in hand and always a ball cap! Mike loved dogs and often had one or two in tow where ever he went!
Mike always had an open door policy, if the door was open, anyone was welcomed to come in and talk story. He was good at giving Aloha! When it came to slowing down and thoughts of retiring (again) he sold his business in Honolulu.
He then purchased Windward Volkswagen in Kailua. He just wanted a small store that he and Hana Girl could drive to everyday. He loved driving from Hawaii Kai thru Waimanalo to Kailua with his trusty dog in the passenger seat.
He remodeled the old store in Kailua in the Cape Cod style. He was happy. Ford Motor company came knocking, saying they wanted Windward Volkswagen’s location.
Mike obtained a new location for the Volkswagen store down the block and The Ford franchise moved into the “Lobster Shack”. Every time Mike wanted to slow down, business just picked up! Pops was at the helm of Windward Ford for just about 25 years.
We all used to joke that our Dad would die on that big Koa desk in his office! The last years for him were surrounded by friends and dogs coming and going. He cherished the family visits.
Even when he wasn’t feeling good there was always a joke to share in good humor. Mike McKenna is survived by 1 dog, Hana Boy, 2 sons Danny and Patrick and 2 daughters, Tracy and Ms. Michael. Services will be held at: 9 am – 12 pm on Friday, June 22 at St. Anthony’s Church Kailua Please consider donating to Hawaiian Humane Society instead of any monetary donations.
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Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUN 22. 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM St. Anthony Catholic Church – Kailua, 148 Makawao St. A, 96734 US Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Daniel Joseph’s Visitation begins. Mass 2018 JUN 22.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM St. Anthony Catholic Church – Kailua, 148 Makawao St. A, 96734 US Order Flowers for the Mass Guaranteed delivery before Daniel Joseph’s Mass begins. Luncheon to follow 2018 JUN 22. 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM St. Anthony Catholic Church – Kailua, 148 Makawao St. A, 96734 US Order Flowers for the Luncheon to follow Guaranteed delivery before Daniel Joseph’s Luncheon to follow begins.
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