Richland Community Leader James A. McKennan Dies at 86

James A. McKennan, a well-respected community leader in Richland Township, died Tuesday at the age of 86.

He received a Lifetime of Service award from Richland Township in 2007 for his years of dedication and service to the community.

McKennan served as vice chairman of the Richland Township Water Authority, also known as the Richland Township Municipal Authority of Allegheny County or RTMAAC. 

"Jim was an amazing community leader in Richland Township and the Richland Township Municipal Authority Board will miss him dearly," said Brian O'Malley, former member of the Richland Board of Supervisors who served with McKennan on the RTMAAC.

"Everyone who takes a drink of water in Richland has Jim McKennan to thank," Township Manager Dean Bastianini said in a 2007 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article. "He was one of our pioneers in building water towers and extending water lines in the township."

McKennan was a volunteer for more than 50 years and past president of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, a longtime member of Sons of American Revolution, American Legion Post 548 and was a 32 degree Mason active with John E. Mair Lodge No. 729 and Syria Shrine Scottish Rite.

"We call Richland Township a great place to live because of the volunteer work that people like Jim McKennan have put into this community for so many years," O'Malley said. 

An Army veteran of World War II and a POW, McKennan retired as a major after 20 years of service in the Army.

He was a graduate of Carnegie Tech and worked in the insurance industry for many years.

Born April 11, 1926, in Pittsburgh, McKennan was a son of the late Thomas and Charlotte (Allen) McKennan. He was the beloved husband for 54 years of Dorothy "Dotty" (Snyder) McKennan; uncle of David G. Snyder and Daniel E. (Elizabeth) Snyder; great-uncle of Megan and Evan Edward Snyder; and brother-in-law of David West (Darin) Snyder.

McKennan was preceded in death by his uncle, Arthur R. McKennan, late announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates; and brother-in-law, Edward B. Snyder.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Schellhaas Funeral Home Ltd., 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown, PA 15007, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Interment will follow in Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, 5857 Meridian Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044, or a charity of your choice.

Please pay tribute at http://www.schellhaasfh.com.

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