OBITUARY John J McKechnie Jr. August 28, 1936 – August 5, 2018 Captain John J. McKechnie Jr., United States Navy, Retired. Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania August 28th, 1936 to Lt. Commander, John J. McKechnie and Cecyle McKechnie.
John was an only child, raised primarily in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. He attended West Philadelphia Catholic High School For Boys where he rowed Crew. John and his Rowing Partner, Joe Scanlon won the U.S. National High School Rowing Championship in 1954, finishing an undefeated Season in Double-Sculls.
After Graduating from West Catholic, John attended the University of Maryland, where he graduated in 1960. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, where he was President, and also President of the Interfraternity Council. After graduating from the University of Maryland, John received his Commission in the U.S. Navy in 1960.
His Naval Duties included being on a Frigate that took part in the US Naval Blockade of Cuba during the Missile Crisis, and the Destroyer USS Hull in Vietnam, carrying out Naval Gunfire Support missions for the US Marines and rescuing downed US Naval Aviators. Later duties included Head of Ship Building and Repairs for the West Coast, and Head of the Joint U.S. Navy – Air Force Cruise Missile building program. After retiring from the Navy as a Captain in 1985, John stayed in the Defense Industry, where he worked for Teldyne Ryan and Convair General Dynamics/later Hughes Aircraft.
In Retirement John spent many happy days on his Bicycle, Fishing, walking Civil War Battlefields back east. He was also involved in the Coronado Optimists Club where John was President in 2001-2002 and oversaw a strong growth in Membership. John also received an MBA from Georgia Washington University in 1969.
John is survived by his Wife Catherine, and his sons John J. McKechnie III, of Bethesda, MD, and Brian T. McKechnie, and Daughter in Law Adrienne of Aliso Viejo, CA, and three Grandchildren. John J. McKechnie IV, of Madison WI, and Allison and Cole McKechnie of Aliso Viejo. John was predeceased in 2011 by his Wife of 45 years, Barbara Ann McKechnie.
In lieu of Flowers please donate to United Through Reading, a Non-Profit Organization that keeps children in military families connected to deployed parents through reading aloud at Unitedthroughreading.org.
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