Robert McKenna

Brother Robert McKenna, a Passionist religious brother residing at Immaculate
Conception Monastery in Jamaica, New York died after a period of illness and hospice care.
Born on November 4, 1931, he was 94 years of age. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he
was the son of the late Francis Joseph McKenna and the late Gertrude Foley McKenna.
Brother Robert was pre-deceased by his brothers, Thomas, Jerome Matthew, Patrick and
Jerome Francis. In addition to the members of his Congregation, Brother  Robert leaves his
brothers Joseph, (spouse: MaryLou Libell) and Regis (spouse: Dianne Page) and many devoted
nephews and nieces and friends.
Brother Robert entered St. Justin High School in Mt. Washington in 1945 and graduated in
1949. On March 20, 1953, Robert began active service in the United States Army Reserves at Camp
Breckinridge, Kentucky. Between April 1953 and May 1954 Robert completed studies at the Army
Language School with the Korean Language as his concentration. He then began service in Korea in
the 528th Military Intelligence Company as a Language Interpreter. In recognition of his service
Robert was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, the United Nations
Service Medal, the U.S. 8TH Army Service Medal, and the 3rd Division U.S. Army Service Medal. He
was honorably discharged from military service on January 7, 1956. Upon returning to the United
States Robert enrolled in 1956 in the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and completed studies in 1958. In
1964 Robert began formation in Hartford, Connecticut as a Passionist religious brother. His first
profession as a vowed member of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ was on March 5,
1967 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His final profession of vows was on March 3, 1970 in Union City,
New Jersey.
Brother Robert’s Passionist ministry proclaiming the love of God in the Passion of Jesus
Christ spanned more than 61 years. His life as a Passionist brother included work in the Province
print shop in Union City, New Jersey as an illustrator between 1967 and 1977. He continued to share
his artistic gifts as an illustrator with the Sign Magazine between 1977 and 1982. Robert’s calling to
Passionist foreign mission began in 1982 with his work in the Passionist Benefactor Society for the
Philippines between 1982 and 1988. In 1993 Robert continued his ministry in the Philippines as
Assistant Procurator at Holy Rosary Parish in Paranaque. In 1998 Robert was assigned as a member
of the Novitiate Committee at Holy Cross Center in Calumpang, South Cotabato. In 2000 Robert
moved to Sun Valley, Paranaque City and began work as the Director of the Passionist Benefactor’s
Society and Assistant Novice Director. Between 2003 and 2006 Robert was assigned as the Assistant
Retreat Director at the St. Paul of the Cross Theologate in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. His work in
forming new Passionists continued at St. Vincent Strambi Seminary and at Phase 8 Health Center in
Silang, Caloocan City from 2006 to 2009. Robert’s missionary work continued in the Philippines until
his return to St. Paul of the Cross Monastery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2015 where he resided
and ministered until his move to the Immaculate Conception Monastery in Jamaica, New York in
2017. While in residence at the Jamaica Monastery Robert again shared his extensive artistic gifts
especially as part of the art therapy group between 2017 and 2020.
The legacy of Robert’s artistry is evident in a vast array of paintings, murals, portraits, and
published literary works. In particular, in the Philippines Robert designed wrought iron wall
structures of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary at St. Paul of the Cross in Sun Valley. He also designed in
the Philippines murals of the baptismal area at Holy Rosary Parish, the Resurrection, Pentecost, St.
Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother. Paintings of special importance created by Brother Robert are of St.
Paul of the Cross, St. Maria Goretti, Reverend Carl Schmits C.P., the Last Supper, and the Suffering
Servant. Robert also designed the Resurrection Mural overlooking the St. Paul of the Cross
Monastery Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts –
such is the duty of the artist” ~ Robert Schumann (1810-1856).
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Funeral services coordinated from Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home will commence from
Immaculate Conception Monastery Chapel, Jamaica, New York with visiting hours on Monday
January 12, 2026 from 5:15pm – 8pm. A formal prayer and reflection service will be held at 7pm
in the Immaculate Conception Monastery Chapel. A Mass of Transferal will be held on Tuesday,
January 13, 2026 at 11:00am in the Immaculate Conception Monastery Choir. A
time of private prayer and visitation will occur on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 9:30am to
10:15am in the St. Paul of the Cross Monastery Church (148 Monastery Avenue, Pittsburgh)
followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow the
Mass in the St. Paul of the Cross Monastery cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the John J. Gmiter Funeral Home, in Pittsburgh (South Side), Pennsylvania.

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you, abide in my love” John 9:9

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