Jack Mccann, Sr.

HOWARD J. McCANN, SR., age 79, of Fallston, died at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center on January 31, 2003. Born November 13, 1923, he was the son of the late John Anderson and Emma Viola Harry McCann. A true Fallstonian, born, raised, and retired at the McCann family home on Pleasantville Road. As a youth, he arose at 5 A.M. on winter mornings to light the wood stove in the two room Youth’s Benefit Elementary School. A graduate of Bel Air High School in 1941, he served in the U.S. Army during WW II in the European Theater under General Patton. When he returned from the war, he worked as a contractor and married his high school classmate, Helen Bowman in 1948. He was the founder of McCann Brothers’ Incorporated in 1947 which is still in business today and continues his proud tradition of excellence.

Mr. McCann was an accomplished carpenter, contractor, pilot, pianist, husband, father, and grandfather. His musical gifts entertained thousands of troops during WW II and continued to please big band audiences through the 70’s as the pianist for the Charlie Lynch Orchestra. He continued to entertain audiences and support local civic and church events with his talents as recently as November when he provided music for the Fallston United Methodist’s annual dinner theater.

For over 33 years, he was an active member of the Wally Byam Caravan Club and frequently played the piano at International Airstream Rallies.

His family says that no one was a stranger to his warmth and wit—he will be sorely missed.

Mr. McCann is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen Bowman McCann; one son, Howard (Howdy) McCann, Jr. of Fallston; one daughter, Jacqueline (Jackie) McCann Schnell, wife of John C. Schnell of Fallston; two grandchildren, Holly Schnell Upton and her husband,
Joseph Upton of Millersville, Maryland; and Jennifer Schnell Hill and her husband, Christopher Hill of Silverdale, Washington.


Pallbearers were: Jackie Schnell, Howard McCann, Jr., John Schnell, Joseph Upton, Chris Hill, Ned Surratt, David Shaver, and Dixon Morrison. Honorary pallbearers were: William McCann, Jr., Robert Watters, William Glenn, Fred Glenn, Charles Bowman, Lonnie Bowman, Fletcher Bowman, Lawrence Bowman, N.D. Smith, Jr., Mark Smith, Steve Ropelewski, Dennis Tilley and Jim Morrison.

In lieu of flowers, and due to the incredible care given by the Intensive Care Unit, please direct all contributions to the following organization: In Memory of Howard J. McCann, Sr., Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation- ICU, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.