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BORN
1933
DIED
2019
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Patrick McCann Obituary
- - It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of legendary St Rose basketball coach Pat McCann on Tuesday, March 12th.
Patrick J. McCann Jr. was born in Newark NJ on March 6, 1933 to Patrick McCann Sr., County Roscommon, Ireland, and Kathleen Gilmore, County Mayo. The family moved to Belmar in 1938 after living in Ireland for 2 years. Pat attended St Rose grammar and high school and was a member of the 1949 State Champion basketball team. After graduating high school in 1951, Pat attended Notre Dame University where he was a member of the ROTC. After graduating college, Pat spent 3 years in the US Air Force rising to the rank of Captain. When he retired from active duty the plan was for him to take over the family business, McCann's Atlantic Hotel in Ocean Avenue in Belmar. In 1958 he was asked by Monsignor Peter Teston to temporarily take the position as head boys basketball coach for the 1958-59 season until a permanent replacement could be found. The rest is St Rose history - Pat went on to become one of the Shore's most storied coaches winning over 400 games and state championships in 1962, 1963, 1966, and 1977. Fiercely competitive but always the gentleman, Pat was also famous for never having a technical foul called against him even while coaching for over a decade in the Jersey Shore Summer Basketball League. Pat retired from coaching in 1986 after 28 years and as St Rose's Athletic Director in 1995 after 37year.
Pat loved golf, sudoku, the NY Yankees, Knicks, and Giants, and an occasional amaretto.
Pat is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irene, his three children: daughter Karen (Joe) Vizzi of Buffalo NY, Patrick III (Elisabeth) of Durham CT, Rod (Deniz) of Avon; and three grandchildren RJ, Rebecca, and Patrick IV. Pat is also survived by his niece Denise (Tom) Latanision and their daughters Leanna and Alyssa of Edina, MN and Nephew Kevin Purcell of Palm Harbor of Florida; his sister-in-law Betty Rokovich of Queens, NY, and niece Katie McCann and her son Michael of Interlaken, NJ.
Visitation will be on Friday March 15, from 4 to 8pm at the Reilly Bonner Funeral Home, 801 D Street Belmar NJ. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 16 at 1:00 pm at St Rose RC Church in Belmar. Committal will follow at Saint Catharine's Cemetery, Sea Girt.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The Disabled American Veterans, the Shriners, or St. Jude's Children's Hospitals. For further information or to send condolences to the family please visit, reillybonnerfuneralhime.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patrick McCann
Sponsored by Reilly Bonner Funeral Home - Belmar.
Elliott Denman
March 9, 2023
Verrry best wishes to the McCann family, and sharing great memories,,,,CoachMcCann....you were the best !!!, most sincerely, Elliott Denman and family, and Shore AC friends, 28 N. Locust Ave, West Long Branch NJ [email protected], 732-222-9213
Jerry Bernstein
August 30, 2019
We rode the waves together in Belmar 1947-50.
And we hung out at Sol's Drug Store where we played pinball machines.
Many happy memories,
Jerry and Fred Bernstein
Karen McCann-Vizzi
March 21, 2019
Thank you so much for all the kind and loving remembrances of my father. Your words are gold. ❤
March 19, 2019
Pat...you were the best of the best, a true gentleman and an amazing teacher, coach and mentor to assuredly thousands of young people whose lives you touched in in so many inspirational ways...
God Bless the McCann Family.
Elliott Denman
and Family
West Long Branch, NJ
(Asbury Park Press, Shore Athletic Club,
NJ Sports Writers Assn, USA Olympic Team '56
etc etc.)
(So very sorry I could not attend the services.)
Rick McMorrow
March 16, 2019
Rest in peace condolences to the McCann family.
Eileen Gallagher-Johnson
March 16, 2019
Sending love and condolences to the McCann family on your loss. He was and will always be remembered as a great family man and a prominent figure in Belmar.
March 15, 2019
A good life, well lived; shouldn't we all be so lucky. He was a great coach (I attended many of the exciting games he coached to victory) but his children his finest legacy. My condolences to his family.
Alison Hull Gill, class of 79
Vito Marinaccio
March 15, 2019
Rest In Peace my friend.
Lynn Kenneally
March 14, 2019
I send my deepest condolences to the McCann family. Pat McCann was the definition of kindness, decency and what it means to be a gentleman. He was truly one of a kind. He will truly be missed.
Al Longo
March 14, 2019
A sad day. Pat was my coach and mentor. He taught me life and basketball skills. I treasure the times that I spent with him as a colleague....... the games, the after game get togethers and the road trips. He was always gracious.
My condolences to Irene and the McCann family.
God bless you, Pat.
Larry Dooley
March 14, 2019
I worked at St. Rose from 1964 until 1977. Pat McCann was one of the finest men I have ever known. He was never nasty but always pleasant with a wonderful sense of humor. It was a pleasure to have had the honor to be his friend. Larry Dooley
March 14, 2019
To Irene, Karen, Pat and Roddy, I offer my deepest condolences. Pat was a gentleman, coach, neighbor for many years, and a friend for many more. Always ready with a smile and a handshake, and always willing to help out. Shared many memories with him over the years, and enjoyed a cocktail or two after we put in hours of bartending at the Headliner. Will miss my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lou Catalano
Mary Degenhardt
March 14, 2019
A true gentleman and a credit to his family and SRHS ! God bless and Rest In Peace
March 13, 2019
My sincere condolences to the McCann family. May treasured memories of your loved one and the loving provision from the God of all comfort bring you hope and solace. (John 3:16)
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