PASSINGS
Dr. Paul McKenna, 81; Dermatologist, Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather
Paul McKenna was born June 26, 1934, in Coleraine, County Derry, Northern Ireland. He passed away at the Nazareth House in Los Angeles, California on April 13. Services were held at Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades on Saturday.
Paul grew with his five brothers and sisters in a house that his father built on Lodge Road in Northern Ireland. He attended medical school at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After graduation, he spent two years in Nigeria as a missionary doctor, which he spoke fondly of throughout his life.
Following his time in Africa, he attended and graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in tropical medicine. He then moved to the United States and did a residency in dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Looking for a warmer climate, Paul moved to Los Angeles for a fellowship in dermatology at the University of Southern California. He started his practice in 1970 near the Miracle Mile (Wilshire and La Cienega) and operated it for 36 years.
Paul met his future wife, Monica, in Long Beach, and they married in 1972. The couple moved to Pacific Palisades three years later and had three sons (Patrick, Paul and Dominic).
The family were members of Corpus Christi Parrish. The boys attended Corpus Christi School and Loyola High School prior to going on to their respective colleges and graduate schools.
Paul was well known in the field of dermatology, with a specialty in hair transplants. He enjoyed getting to know his patients and treated those from varying backgrounds, from those well known in society to those that could not afford treatment. Always a compassionate doctor who never turned anyone away for lack of payment, he was extremely generous with his time and often volunteered his services for those in need.
Paul spent the last 19 months of his life at Nazareth House in Los Angeles, under the warm and loving care of The Nazareth House Sisters. The McKenna family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the Sisters. Words cannot express our appreciation.
Paul is survived by his wife of 43 years, Monica, his three sons, Patrick, Paul and Dominic, and his six grandchildren, Chloe, Mallory, Thomas, Aisling, Conor and Millie.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Paul’s name to The Nazareth House, 3333 Manning Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Dr. Paul McKenna
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