Rickey Kevin McKenna

FARMINGDALE – Rickey Kevin McKenna, 59, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, after a courageous and hard-fought battle due to complications from diabetes, with the love of his life for the past 41 years by his side, his wife Dina.

Rickey was born on Dec. 5, 1964, to parents Chuck and Nancy Dow. He grew up in West Gardiner alongside his brothers, Tim and Mike. The McKenna brothers’ stories are legendary, the three of them terrorized all the babysitters in the West Gardiner area.

Rickey graduated from Gardiner Area High School, class of 1983, where he forged friendship bonds unbreakable to this day. Friendships such as these are rare and were treasured by Rick to the day he died. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine Augusta in 1992.

Rick married his high school sweetheart, Dina Leonard McKenna of 41 years, they were married August 19, 1989, celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary this past summer. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Alexander, in 1992, followed by a daughter, Jessica, in 1995.

Rickey was an extremely hard worker; he was a jack of all trades and extremely handy. He tinkered on cars and tractors, he built garages, camps, and could fix anything. You know when people say, “I’ve got a guy for that”, Rick was that guy. He was always willing to lend a hand with any project you had going. Towards the latter part of his illness when he was unable to physically do the work, he was happy to assume the supervisor role and tell you what you were doing wrong. He worked with his dad, Chuck Dow at State Farm Insurance for 20 years before his letter writing skills led him to a new career with the State of Maine, Department of Transportation as a Right of Way Appraiser for 22 years. He retired last December due to declining health.

In his spare time, he liked to work with Chris Ellis Construction, maintaining roads during the winter and summer. He could often be found hanging around Phillis Auto. Rickey was a former selectman for the Town of Farmingdale for several years. He was not one to sit idle and liked to be busy, and would often take rides with his favorite co-pilots, his beloved Pomeranians.

Rick’s greatest pride was his growing family. His family was his true north guiding his every decision in his life. The addition of his daughter-in-law, Artulean “Artie” McKenna and soon to be son-in-law, Nick Bates, filled his heart. Perhaps his proudest and most joyous moments were those spent with his beautiful granddaughters, Madison and Abigail. You could see the happiness in Rick’s eyes whenever he saw or even spoke of his girls, Maddie and Abbie.

Rick had many friends and was usually at the center of every gathering. His storytelling abilities left everyone with cheeks and sides hurting along with his ability to never forget anything that ever happened. His circle of friends meant the world to him and him to them. Rick was the recipient of a live donor liver transplant in August of 2022 from his lifelong friend, Vaughn Smith. Rick and Vaughn were joined in brotherhood with the gift of organ donation which is extremely rare. Usually, live donors are given from family not framily. The bond between these two friends is inspiring along with the core friend group that has spent over 40 years making annual Father’s Day weekend trips up north fishing, golfing, camping trips or any excuse to be together making memories that fill everyone’s heart in this time of loss. “You can’t get these times back” was one of Rick’s favorite quotes. The stories produced from these weekends are infamous and Rick loved to retell them over and over. Rick was grateful for his friends.

Rickey is survived by his wife, Dina, his son, Alex McKenna and his wife, Artie, their children, Maddie and Abbie, his daughter, Jessica McKenna and her fiancé, Nick Bates. His mother, Nancy Dow and his brother, Tim McKenna and his partner, Heidi Stevens, father and mother-in-law, Mark and Cathy Leonard, sister and brother-in-law, Tiffany and Nick Neilsen, his nieces and nephews and many relatives. Rick is predeceased by his father, Chuck, his brother, Mike, and his brother-in-law, Derek.

The family would like to thank the medical team at the Lahey Clinic for their amazing care and compassion over the years. Team Rickey, who supported him to be at home as his health declined, consisted of his primary support, Dina who cared for him selflessly 24 hours a day. His mother, Nancy Dow, Vaughn and Cindy Smith, Chad Foye, Colene O’Neill, Scott and Valerie McAuslin, Tim and Kelly Bourassa and Kathy Houdlette who helped with trips to Lahey, dialysis appointments three times a week, his own private nursing care, home improvements, socialization or whatever he needed.

At Rickey’s request there will be no services. A celebration of life will be held in January with the venue to be determined. 

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

Rick was not a big fan of flowers; he was a big animal lover. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Houlton Humane Society, 263 Callaghan Road,

Houlton, ME 04730.