Pawtucket - Daniel F. McKinnon, 90, of Pawtucket and a summer resident of Matunuck, RI, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2009.
He was the beloved husband of Rita P. (Cahill) McKinnon for 67 years. Born in Pawtucket, a lifelong resident of the city, he was a son of the late Charles G. and Mary E. (Kiley) McKinnon. Dan served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy during World War II.
He was a graduate of St. Raphael's Academy; Providence College (1940); U.S. Naval Academy and attended Boston College School of Law. He was a 12 letter athlete at St. Raphael's Academy; played Varsity Football and Baseball at Providence College; Professional Football, NFL, "Providence Steamrollers" and Navy pre-flight football.
Dan was a teacher in the Pawtucket School System for 37 years; he served as Chairman of the History Department and Athletic Director at Pawtucket West Senior High School. He was a Life Underwriter for Mutual of New York; Assistant Athletic Director, United States Naval Preparatory Flight School and the Naval Air Station, Alameda, California; Athletic Director at the Naval Operational Air Base, Crow's Landing, California; Head College Basketball Coach and College Football Backfield Coach at St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa and Assistant College Football Coach at Providence College.
His civic activities included Chairman of the Rhode Island Health Service Council and its predecessor Blue Ribbon Commission for 35 years; Past-President Mal Brown Club, Providence College; Past-President Providence College Alumni Association; National Chairman Providence College Annual Fund; Athletic Board Providence College; served on the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and was a member of the Providence College Developmental Council.
He was the recipient of the Providence College Man of the Year Award 1967 and the Distinguished Service Award at Providence College. Dan was elected to the Board of Governors of the State's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan and was a former member of the Knights of Columbus.
Besides his wife he leaves two sons, Daniel V. McKinnon and George D. McKinnon, and two daughters, Mary E. Auclair and Ann M. Quinn. He was the father of the late Kathleen V. Leonard.
He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. The eldest of thirteen siblings, he is survived by his brother, Vincent McKinnon and his sister, Maureen Dubel. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held Monday at 9 a.m. from WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church, Coyle Dr., Seekonk.
Interment will follow at Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. VISITATION will be Sunday 2 to 6 p.m.