Terrence William McKernan - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Terrence William McKernan

Born April 8, 1923

Terrence William McKernan, age 94, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully, on Monday, May 29, 2017.

Terrence was born in Cleveland, OH, on April 8, 1923, and was the son of the late Thomas and Mable (Shepherd) McKernan. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Ohio, where he was a standout track star. A proud veteran, Terrence served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy for 20 years. He later accepted a position as the Vice President of Administration with Peter D. Furness Electrical Company.

A passionate sports fan, Terrence co-founded the Todd-Scott Baseball League in 1972, where he served as a coach. He enjoyed staying active, was an avid runner throughout his life, and exercised daily well into his 90’s. A man of strong faith, he was a longtime parishioner of Holy Family Church in Newark and believed in the power of giving back to his community by supporting a wide variety of charities. A devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather, Terrence will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Timothy Earl McKernan and Paul Terrence McKernan; sisters, Eleanor Foster and Patricia A. Baker; grandson, Steven Paul; and a great grandson, Adryn A. Terrence is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Elizabeth (Brown) McKernan; children, Michael T. McKernan (Bernadette) of Wayne, MI, Patricia L. Henderson of Newark, Susan L. McKernan of Newark, Laura A. Walker (Horace) of Newark, Christopher J. McKernan of Newark, and Peter L. McKernan (Sherry) of Nashville, TN; twin brother, Thomas A. McKernan of TN; 18 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 am on Wednesday morning, June 7, 2017 at Holy Family R.C. Church, E. Chestnut Hill and Gender Roads, Newark, DE. Interment will be held privately in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.

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23 Condolences for Terrence William McKernan

  • My sincere condolences to the entire McKernan family. I have had the sincere pleasure of knowing and loving this family for about 55 years, as Laura has been my best friend since 1962. Her parents have always treated me as one of their own and I respected them as I did my own parents. Mr. McKernan will always be, in my mind, a fun loving, hard working, compassionate dad. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. May Our Lord hold him close. I love you all! Madeline

  • On behalf of all the Ohio McKernans, Terry’s twin brother Tom offers his sincerest condolences to the Delaware McKernans, wherever they may be.

    Terry will be missed.

  • Sending the family peace and strength! And praying that Mr. McKernan has a peaceful journey home! ❤

  • My condolences and prayers for the family of Terrence McKernan.

  • Dear Betty, Susan and family.

    I was saddened to learn of Terry’s passing and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Terry was one of those special people who left an indelible print on the Delaware community.
    His legacy will live in our hearts and lives.

    I only hope that the many wonderful memories will comfort you during this time of loss. Please know that there are many people who are sharing in your grief.

    With sincere sympathies,

    Rob Abel MD

  • God Bless our neighbors extraordinary life! Our sincerest condolences and prayers to his entire family.

    Carl and Betsy Foraker

  • I am sending the entire family, peace and comfort please know that prayers and condolences are with you all. Love, Linda

  • Dear Carl and Betsy,
    Whatever would we have done without you on numerous occasions! My dad was so thankful for all of your assistance. You have such kind hearts. Thank you from all the McKernans.

  • My thoughts and prayers are with the McKernan family.

  • I regret the many missed opportunities to re-connect with my Uncle Terry who I haven’t seen in over 50 years. He was a special man with admirable, endearing qualities. May he rest in in peace.
    David McKernan

  • David ..thank you for the kind words. We have missed to many opportunities to reconnect. We should do that soon. Pat McKernan Henderson

  • I ‘d like to thank my sister Susan for being there for the family and for allowing my Dad to pass with dignity in the comfort of his own home.
    Thank you for all of your help and support,
    Pete and Sherry McKernan

    I’d like to share a couple of memories:
    My Dad was the coach of the Athletics baseball team for several years. I was new to the team, but my my brother Tim was the first-string catcher, and my brother Chris was one of the best pitchers on the team. Dad would always take the whole team to the Dairy Queen in Ogletown after every game.
    I used to love jogging with my Dad back on the dirt trails behind our house and and helping with his huge paper route delivery on Sunday mornings!
    I remember how much Dad used to laugh every week when The Odd Couple opening theme would come on. He loved the part where the Boy Scout punches Felix in his arm. He would laugh week in and week out, like it was the first time he had seen it. He loved that scene!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af1h4ibpKJA

  • My sincere condolences.
    Ann Holloway, neighbor

  • To the McKernan Family,

    I remember Mr. McKernan well as a neighbor in Todd Estates. Susan and Laura were friends and school/class mates and Terry coached me in my ONE season of summer softball. Please accept my sincere sympathies as well as that of my brothers, Greg and Bruce. We grew up with much respect for Terry.
    Sincerely,
    Pat Kamerer Sparks

  • There are some things that took place behind the scenes so to speak, I would like to take a moment to tell you just what kind of man he was, Boompa walked through life like no man I ever met before he not only raised his own 8 children but in the absence of a couple not worth naming dead beat fathers he continued helping to raise his grandchildren as well. He showed us all how to be productive members of society and while a few of chose not to follow his lead immediately I can assure some did later in life. I’m ever so grateful for my Boompa and all he did for me and many others I can only dream of being the kind of man he was but I will continue to try. Thank you so much for everything Grandma and Boompa I love you both very much❤️

  • Rest in peace

  • Susan, Laura and Family,
    I just heard about your Dad – I am so very sorry. I remember your Mom and Dad, thank you for his military service in the US Navy. My thoughts and prayers are with your Mom and all of you during this difficult time. God Bless you all.

  • I was so sorry to read of Terry’s passing. You have such a wonderful family and I certainly have “McKernan” memories from my Youth Ministry days at Holy Family. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

    In His Love,
    Barbara Kelly

  • Laura, I am so sorry to hear about your father. He is watching over all of you now.
    I hope your mom is ok.
    GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

  • My sincere condolences to the entire McKernan family. He was a great man that I had the honor to meet.

  • Dear Pat, Annmarie and family, I was so sorry to hear of your father and grandfather’s passing. Our sympathy to all of you and may he rest in the peace of our Lord!

  • Thank you, Barbara
    Our family really appreciates your kind words and prayers.

    Pete McKernan

  • My Dad always had nothing but good things to say about your father. I remember the huge smile and wave Mr. McKernan always gave me as he drove by our house in Todd Estates and I was outside playing. There is something to be said about a man who could make a child feel special when he saw them and acknowledged their existence in the world. I will always smile when I think of him.
    Your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.