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THOMAS VALENTINE "VAL" MCGANN

FUNERAL HOME

Mackey Funeral Home - Middleton

128 S. Main St. (Rt 114)

Middleton, Massachusetts

THOMAS MCGANN Obituary

McGANN, Thomas Valentine 'Val' Of Kennebunkport, Maine and Naples, Florida, died in Beverly, Massachusetts after a long illness on March 26, 2016. Born in Creagh, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, the son of the late Tom and Tessie McGann. A true Renaissance man, Val was a native of Ireland who established himself in America in the 1970's as an internationally recognized painter and athlete, as well as a lover of poetry and music. In his youth Val won 12 decathlon championships and held the Irish pole vault record for six years. Val remained an athlete throughout his life, loved to kayak, and lived to set a world record at the age of 80 in the weight and super weight throw categories at the American Masters Track and Field Championships in Boston. Val was recognized internationally as a marine artist, leaving his village in 1945 to study at the National College of Art, Dublin. A winner of 75 amateur heavyweight boxing fights, he worked as a bobby in London where he became a representative for Guinness, while continuing studies at the Byam Shaw School of Art. Exhibiting in Dublin, London, Moscow, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., he was the first Irish artist to receive national recognition in a 1974 show at the U.S. Capitol Building. Val was popularly referred to as an Irish Winslow Homer, favoring representational seascapes, landscapes and coastal scenes of Ireland and Maine, where he became a longtime resident. In 1969 he met his wife, Anna Houton, a teacher and importer of Irish goods, while she was on a buying trip to Ireland. As manager and promoter of Val's art and galleries, Anna, along with Val were active in supporting Irish culture and the arts, supported many charitable organizations, and resided in Florida and Maine for many years. Val was predeceased by his wife Anna who passed away in February, and a baby, Terrence. Val was a beloved figure and inspiration to his extended family and is survived by three brother-in-laws: Thomas and Donna Houton, Daniel Houton, and John Houton and Dr. Ellen Kantor; and two sister-in-laws: Catherine and Dr. Joseph Benedict, Roseleen and the late George Pyne. Val was also predeceased by two brothers, Joe and Frank, and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Patricia and Charles Houton. Val and Anna admired, supported and loved their many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom will remember them lovingly and fondly. Burial will be private. Mackey Funeral Home www.mackeyfuneralhome.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 2 to Apr. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS MCGANN

14 Entries

Kathy H.

February 9, 2025

Mr McGann (Val) was an amazing man. We have 3 of Val´s paintings. One is of my Grandmother´s home in Drummin, Co. Mayo, done from a photograph in 1977. We later met him at his Kennebunkport studio, and purchased a seascape which we have in our dining room. It was an honor to have met him. May he rest in peace.

Jennifer Acosta

March 27, 2023

Mr. & Mrs. McGann were true lovers of children. I met Val and Anna through NYCs Fresh Air Fund Program. They opened their home to me and another young girl. The visit changed my life and showed me a better side of people and life. I loved kayaking and picking fresh vegetables from the neighbors farm. Two angels in heaven on our side. Wish I had kept in touch but know Val & Anna were never far from my thoughts and prayers!

Mrs. Jennifer Acosta (née Roque)

Jerry O´Leary

February 7, 2023

I didn´t know Mr. McGann but I purchased several of his paintings back in the 70´s at the Irish Pavilion in Manhattan....such a talented artist. He will remembered for all that he did to touch our soul and heart. R.I.P.

One of my favorites !!

Judith Connors

March 4, 2017

I admired the wonderful, kind and gentle man. I would always visit him when in Kennebunckport, bringing home many of his paintings... Lovely conversations I will treasure... and that warm friendly genuine smile of his.
I am very sad to hear of his passing. My condolence, to everyone he touched.
A fine man indeed.

Wayne & Elsie Parker

August 20, 2016

We just returned from the Kennebunkport area and stopped by the locations of two of Val's previous salaries. We are saddened by the loss Val and Anna. Our home contains several Val paintings and our daughters are already fighting (jk) over one of them.

Your legacy will live on and we miss our visits and discussions at your gallery.

Jennifer Acosta

April 12, 2016

I am truly sorry for your loss. I was searching the web for Mr. & Mrs. McGann. You see they were my host family many years ago (I am 48) through the Fresh Air Fund in NYC. I thought of them often (and especially since the Fresh Air Fund is having their annual drive). The McGann's were a special couple...they treated me well and were wonderful role models. I am saddened to know that they recently passed but am blessed to have known them. Two special guardian angels.

My deepest sympathy,
Jennifer Acosta (nee Roque Matteo)
Howard Beach, New York

Molly and Donald

April 8, 2016

Our lives are enriched every day by memories of our conversations with Val and through his artwork. His gentle nature and compassion for others will always be remembered. Rest in Peace dear Val !

Molly and Donald

Margot O'Toole

April 6, 2016

Val was among the finest people I have ever known. His zest for life and support for all those around him brought great enjoyment to me on very many occasions. I love his paintings, and will always treasure those that my husband, Peter Brodeur, and I have hanging in our home. After my father died suddenly when I was twenty, Val and Anna reached out to support and comfort my whole family, and they continued that support for forty years. Val exceled at world class levels in athletics and painting. He enthusiastically and with great generosity gave me lessons in surfing, kayak surfing, pole vaulting, and painting despite the obvious fact that I could never excel in any of these endeavors. He considered my joyful participation full justification for his good humored tutelage. When I married and had children, he extended these efforts to my children, and they have cherished childhood memories of their times with Val and Anna. I recall with pleasure many stimulating and humorous conversations with him, Anna and my family at both his home and mine. I will miss him and Anna, their extraordinary hospitality, good humor, and commitment to living principled lives. I has been a privilege and honor to have had them in my life.

John Boland

April 5, 2016

A long hot summer evening in Duggan Park ,Ballinasloe, with a mercurial athlete hurtling over the pole vault bar, is the memory that always comes to my mind when I hear the name of Val McGann. He was our hero as kids, and many mothers in Ballinasloe found their curtain poles missing, as we vainly attempted to emulate his heroics in our back gardens. Later I became the proud owner of some of his seascapes, and so his memory lives on.
May he rest in peace.

Dorothy Kelly Gay

April 4, 2016

I grew up with Val in Ballygortagh, we were next door neighbors. Val was always extraordinary!as a young man when he first started his athletic career my father Brian mentored him and encouraged to compete as he recognized his great talent, Val always spoke about those early days. In later years when he was established in Dublin the artistic side began to emerge it was while visiting Val and his mother in Dublin that my sister Kate Noonan was inspired by Val and became an accomplished artist in her own right. I have very fond memories of Tessie and her 3 sons spending happy hours in our home. My family are blessed to have several of his paintings. Val was an extraordinary man who represented Ballinasloe and Ireland so well with his many extraordinary talents he was truly an Irish Treasure. Such greatness from such humble beginnings!! R.I.P. Val.
Dorothy Kelly Gay.RN. Former Mayor of Somerville.Ma.

April 3, 2016

I had the privilege of knowing and connecting with Val sporadically over the past 50 years and we had a rich relationship. I, and many others, will miss his deep melodic voice singing, reciting poetry or discussing some athletic performance or philosophical point. I spoke to him recently, though the discussion was rather brief, he made a point of asking me to thank all the well-wishers for their kind thoughts, to apologize that he was not able to write responses, and to tell them that he loved them all. We love you too Val!

Louis Jordan, San Diego and Dublin

sean hogan

April 2, 2016

Very sorry to hear of Val's sad passing. He was a very positive influence on a whole generation of young athletes in Dublin, A true Corinthian whose memory will always be cherished.

Louis Jordan

April 2, 2016

I reckon that I knew Val for about 53 years. I will miss his deep baritone musical voice and his great interest in all the elements of life. His charm and handsome figure hid a very tender romantic heart and mind. I learned from Thomas Houton, Anna's brother, that Anna had passed as recently as February. This surprised me since Val did not mention the fact to me in our , admittedly brief, recent conversations. I was privileged to converse with Val up to about a week before his passing. Anticipating his death, Val told me to tell all his friends in Ireland and elsewhere that he loved them and to say goodbye for him.

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