Phillip Joseph McKinnon

Mr. Phillip J. McKinnon, 89, of Pepperell, MA, and formerly of Sherborn, MA and Naples, FL, died Friday, (October 16, 2020) at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Linda (Chojnowski) McKinnon and widower of Mary E. (nee Keenan) McKinnon. He was also the devoted father of MaryBeth McKinnon, Groton, MA, and Kathleen H. Hutton and her husband James Kowalsky of Plymouth, MA; and doting grandfather of Helena W. Hutton of Plymouth, MA. Mr. McKinnon was the brother of late Mary (nee McKinnon) D’Amato. He is also survived by nieces and nephews - Owen, Paul, John and the late Joseph Keenan; Patricia (Keenan) Greene and Anthony and Carol (D’Amato) Kim.

Mr. McKinnon was born in Egleston Square, Roxbury,  MA, the son of Philip McKinnon, Jr., and Helena (nee Carroll) McKinnon. He was a graduate of Boston English High School, Class of 1949. After serving in the Coast Guard from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War, he attended Northeastern University, graduating in 1960 with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

Mr. McKinnon was first employed by Avco, Boston, MA as an engineer on rocket systems. He then went on to work as a Project Manager for high energy telescope space programs, including Skylab and Chandra, for American Science and Engineering and the Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. 

While residing in Sherborn, MA, Mr. McKinnon was a member of the Lion’s Club. Throughout his life he was an avid golfer and woodworker. He was proud of his father’s role as a horse and buggy builder for the Moxie soda company. Mr. McKinnon loved making new friends. He would strike up conversations with anyone and had a close pack of buddies at his favorite Naples, FL Starbucks. Having played hockey in his youth, Mr. McKinnon followed the Bruins and loved Boston-area sports teams. He was a devoted supporter of his college prep-school, Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, and his beloved Catholic Church.

His funeral will be held Friday (October 23rd) from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 NOON in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (UPPER CHURCH), 7 East Main Street, Milford MA due to the ongoing renovations at St. Mary’s Church in Milford MA. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford MA. A visiting hour will be held Friday morning (October 23rd) from 10:30am to 11:30am, prior to his Funeral Mass.

Social distancing protocols & use of face masks will be required for all facets of the funeral services. Visit www.edwardsmemorialfuneralhome.com for complete obituary & condolence book.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.

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