McKenna Basketball Courts
Named for Philip "Zeke" McKenna

Philip J. “Zeke” McKenna (PDF)

"Winthrop High School students are profoundly shocked and saddened by the passing of 17-year-old senior Philip J. “Zeke” McKenna who died from acute leukemia. Zeke was a star pitcher for the WHS baseball team and was a popular student. The flag at the high school is flying at half mast in his memory."

"Zeke McKenna, a 14-year old sophomore-to-be, southpawed a neat three-hitter at Ingleside Park last Friday night, with the five Jamaica Plain runs directly die to seven Winthrop miscues and others of omission."

"Students at the high school and many local baseball fans who intimately knew the jovial youngster were profoundly shocked at the news of his death Monday….
...In addition to being the No. ! pitcher at the high school in his junior year last Spring, McKenna also was a member of last winter’s Northeaster Conference championship basketball squad. A year ago, he was a member of the football squad here..."

"At a regular meeting of the Winthrop Park Dept. last Monday night, it was unanimously voted to honor the memory of Philip “Zeke” McKenna, a former high school athlete who died in 1948 of leukemia. The new basketball court will be named after him.
The new courts, which will be electrically illuminated for night time use are being completed adjacent to the Senior High Gym parking lot."

"As a result of a request by former teammates and friends, the Board of Park Commissioners unanimously decided to name the new basketball court at Ingleside Park….It will named in memory of Philip J. “Zeke” McKenna who died of leukemia in 1948 during his junior year at the high school. Philip was a three-letter athlete and outstanding gentleman. The remembrance of him and the virtues he exemplified will provide today’s youth with inspiration and courage”..."

"On Monday evening relatives, town officials, and friends of the late Philip J. “Zeke” McKenna gathered to pay tribute to the memory of this young man who died of leukemia in 1948 while a junior at high school...."