Obituary of James Michael McKenna

James Michael McKenna

February 15, 1945 – August 2, 2026

Darien, CT and Jupiter, FL

James Michael McKenna, 81, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, Jim lived with enormous energy, generosity and an uncommon gift for bringing people together.

Born in Troy New York, on February 15, 1945, Jim was the eldest son of James and Mary (Powers) McKenna. Enterprising from an early age, he delivered newspapers and distinguished himself as a student-athlete at Catholic Central High School before leaving Troy for Iona University in New Rochelle. He put himself through college, graduating in 1966 with a degree in business administration and accounting.

After Iona, Jim served for two years on active duty with the U.S. Naval Reserve in a Naval security detachment at the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C. He returned to New York and joined Arthur Young & Co., where he earned his CPA during five years with the firm. In 1973, he was recruited by CBS, beginning a distinguished career with the network that spanned four decades.

Beginning in corporate finance, Jim rose through the executive ranks, serving as vice president and general manager of CBS Sports before becoming senior vice president of technical engineering and operations. During the final two decades of his career, he served as chief financial officer and vice president of planning, administration and business affairs for CBS News, helping guide the division through presidential elections, wars, major breaking news and decades of broadcast journalism.

Jim’s roles at CBS carried him well beyond the executive offices in New York, from major sporting events and multiple Olympic Games to bureaus around the world. They also placed him alongside CBS journalists on major assignments, including his favorite: helping Dan Rather negotiate the terms for an interview with Fidel Castro in Cuba.

Jim met Dale Collett during his early years in New York City, and they married in Stratton, Vermont, in 1975. Over the next five decades, they built a remarkably full life together, raising Erin and Megan, traveling widely and cultivating friendships that spanned generations and geography. After living in Manhattan and on Long Island, they settled in Darien, Connecticut, and later began spending winters in Jupiter, Florida. In 2025, Jim and Dale celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jim was enormously proud of “his girls.” Throughout their lives, he encouraged Erin and Megan’s interests, supported the paths they chose and remained closely involved as they built careers and families of their own. To Avery, Hadley, Winnie and Evie, he was Pa: maker of Sunday pancakes and an unmistakable voice from the sidelines at their games and performances. He delighted in each of his granddaughters and took immense pride in watching them grow.

Throughout his life, Jim gave generously of his time, judgment, experience and resources to the institutions and communities he cared about. At Iona, Jim drew on his relationships in broadcasting to create opportunities for students to meet and learn from leaders in the industry. He helped establish the Distinguished Visiting Professorship and the “Conversation With” series, bringing prominent CBS journalists to campus, and hosted Iona alumni gatherings at the CBS Broadcast Center.

At Bucknell University, Erin and Megan’s alma mater, he served for nearly a decade on the Parents Board and remained close with the University’s Development team, helping students interested in communications gain exposure to the field and make connections with established professionals.

He also served for 15 years on the board of the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS) and for six on the board of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Golf remained one of Jim’s great passions. He played several times a week into his 80s and remained a formidable competitor. He loved the competition, but just as important were the friendships and traditions that grew around years spent playing the game. He served on the board of First Tee of Connecticut and in leadership roles at Woodway Country Club and the Westchester Senior Golf Association; in later years, the Musketeers became one of his most treasured circles of friends.

Often described as larger than life, Jim lived big. His voice carried, his laugh was unmistakable, and he loved a good story, especially one he was telling. He rarely passed up a conversation and was forever making introductions, whether to open a professional door or simply because he thought two people ought to know each other. He leaves behind an extraordinary number of people with a Jim story of their own.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Terrence P. McKenna; and his brother-in-law Robert Collett. Jim is survived by his wife, Dale; his daughters, Erin Evanoka and Megan Saunders; his sons-in-law, Brian Evanoka and Mike Saunders; his granddaughters, Avery and Hadley Evanoka and Winnie and Evelyn Saunders; his brother, Robert McKenna; his sisters-in-law Cathy McKenna and Jackie Collett; his nieces and nephews, Scott Collett, Jill (Steve) Donohue, Kelly (Chris) Gennoy and Kevin (Molly) McKenna, and their children; as well as by many cousins, extended family members and friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 18, at St. Thomas More Church in Darien, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the James M. McKenna ’66 Endowed Scholarship at Iona University, The McKenna Family Scholarship at Bucknell University or The First Tee Foundation of Connecticut.