"I didn’t personally know Chip, but I saw him around. He always had a smile on his face, as did the people around him." - a comment on one of the articles written about Tommy/Chip in NJ Herald.

NJ Herald article

Tommy McKenna went into the hospital in Morristown, NJ on May 15, 2019. Turned out he had kidney failure. After more tests, we were told that he had a rare auto-immune disease called ANCA-Associated Vasculitis.

I was told "not to read the stuff online" - that people lived with, and managed, this disease. I was told that Tommy would likely not be able to join the Marine Corps after all, but could live a decent life.

Tommy died June 3, 2019. Less than 3 weeks after his diagnosis. He had his 18th birthday in the hospital, and died 2 weeks before his high school graduation. The last 18 hours of his death were horrific beyond words. I, his mother, watched him die a brutal death.

I will never understand why this terrible, terrible thing happened to him. Tommy was the most joyful person.

Who was Tommy? ("Chip" to his friends)

Tommy and his friend James, MIB

They showed up at hockey games dressed as FBI agents? They added a touch of class, that's for sure!

Tommy McKenna and James Parrish Hockey santa

Honorary hockey player

Tommy was granted honorary hockey status by the team. I was told no game was complete without Tommy and his boundless enthusiasm.

Semper Fi!

Tommy and his friends all enlisted straight out of high school. They all could have gone to college and had an easier time, but they all signed up. Tommy died two months before he would have gone off to bootcamp with Liam, second from right.

Tommy and his fellow Marine Poolees

Discover Our Classes

Friend of Chip

"Tommy made everything fun!" - a quote from a friend

Lenape valley high

The school was amazing to his memory

"Chip challenges" videos

Tommy took on challenges with is friends, particularly Jake.

Video screenshot Tommy and football players

Sparta classic diner reviews

Join Tommy and friends in the tub for food reviews and fun!