Loading...

History

History

Macken Mortuary has a rich history of serving the Rockville Centre, Long Beach, Island Park, and Oceanside communities. Our funeral home has been family owned and operated since its founding in 1909. For four generations Macken’s has had the honor of serving those in need, and we feel very fortunate to be able to continue the tradition. Our longevity attests to our superior service, and we look forward to helping you in your time of need.

"This building has a rich history filled with serendipity and happenstance," says Joseph (Joe) R. Noll, speaking about Rockville Centre's Macken Mortuary. My wife Jeanne and I have recently renovated and redecorated the three-story structure, we have a keen appreciation for it's past.

Joseph S. Macken Sr., began Macken Mortuary in Brooklyn in 1909. In the 1930s he was retained to arrange the funeral of the 9-year-old daughter of Ruth Keckenhaussen. Often the custom of the times, viewing took place in the parlor of the Keckenhaussen's Clinton Avenue home in Rockville Centre. Following the funeral, the brokenhearted Mrs. Keckenhaussen found it difficult living in the house that held so many memories of her deceased child. She placed the house on the market and Mr. Macken purchased it and established the mortuary.


Funeral Home Services in East Rockaway NY


With the exception of a few years off for military service during and after World War II, Joseph (Buddy) S. Macken Jr., who began in his father's business as a hearse driver at age 13, and his brother, Thomas E. Macken, continued running the Rockville Centre location until they sold the business to Joe Noll in 1993. Buddy remains a Rockville Centre resident. Thomas died a few years ago but his wife, Ann, still resides in the community.

The building has undergone many changes over the years, some of them due to two major fires. The first fire was in 1937 when the caretaker fell asleep with a lit cigarette in his hand in his quarters on the third floor. The second fire took place on July 30, 1998, while Joe was at the Suffolk Medical Examiner's Office working on the funeral directing response to TWA Flight 800 disaster. Lightening hit St. Agnes Cathedral next door and bounced to the mortuary's roof.

We have also added handicapped access to the entrance and rest rooms to the building. We have refurbished the living quarters on the second floor into arrangement offices and selection rooms and renovated the third floor into offices.

Several years ago Joe, answered a knock on the funeral home's front door. It was the now elderly Mrs. Keckenhaussen who asked if she could come inside and reminisce. She admired the renovations and redecorating so much she told us that when she died she wanted to be buried from the mortuary in the same room in which her young daughter reposed in. In fact, she died in 1997 at the age of 94 and we were proud to fulfill her desire to have us complete her funeral arrangements.

Over the years, we at Macken’s have heard the statement from families that we have served from Island Park, Long Beach and Oceanside, "We wish you were closer". Well now we are. Our second location opened in March of 2002 at 3930 Long Beach Road in Island Park. This means a shorter trip for those families, that we serve from Long Beach, Island Park and Oceanside. The one story building is brand new from the ground up, with the largest chapels in the area, and ample parking.

Macken Mortuary, Inc. - Rockville Centre | (516) 766-3300
52 Clinton Ave Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Macken Mortuary, Inc. - Island Park | (516) 431-7800
3930 Long Beach Rd Island Park, NY 11558

© Macken Mortuary, Inc.
Crafted with care by Frazer Consultants & TA

Blog

 

 

 

Privacy Policy & Terms of Use | Accessibility