Gerald F. McCann

Gerald McCann Obituary

Gerald F (Jerry) McCANN Age 79, born May 11, 1930, in Detroit, MI. Passed away March 28, 2010 at home in Edmonds, Wa., after a brief battle with cancer.He is survived by his loving wife Mona; his sister Margaret Gout, brother's Eugene, James, and John McCann of Michigan. He was a loving and patient Papa, Grandpa, and Uncle, to many in the Seattle and Michigan area. Jerry shared his love of life, the outdoors, and his garden with family, friends and neighbors. He was a patient and gentle teacher who will be missed by many. Services at Mt. Tahoma, April 6th, at 12:30 P.M, followed with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. at the family residence. In lieu of flowers please donate to The Group Health Hospice program.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News from Apr. 3 to Apr. 5, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald McCann

19 Entries

Tera Kaufmann

April 28, 2010

We were lucky enough to meet Jerry finally after hearing all the wonderful things about him at Cannon Beach while he and Mona were on vacation. We all walked down to the beach with the kids and had a great day together. I noticed he had a good sense of humor. He was quiet at first but then he became more talkative and started cracking jokes by the end of the day - we ended up having some of Mona's pie - couldn't have asked for better day - nice memory. You could tell that he was a great Dad, Grandpa and husband to Mona, just by the way he interacted with his family. He will be missed but not forgotten. We are sad that he is no longer here but relieved he is no longer in pain. We will all meet again in heaven but for now I wish peace, especially for Mona and Jerry's family, and for the remaining family and send our thoughts and prayers for your strength to get through this difficult time. Much Love, Hans, Tera, Madi & Paige Kaufmann

The Madera Family

April 21, 2010

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal... Our family extends our love, prayers and deepest sympathy for passing of Jerry. I so wished that I would have had the opportunity to have met him as I hear the most wonderful things about him and he was undoubtedly a truly special man. We are sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Our heartfelt condolences,
Rick, Loretta & Devon Madera

April 13, 2010

My Brother wrote this to share at the Memorial Service in Washington State.
--------------------------------------
Rodger’s story about Jerry (Gerald Francis McCann 1930-2010)Share.. Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 10:02pm
The following is my story that I presented during the memorial:

As many of you know, Jerry was remarkable. He stepped in where few would have dared. Assuming the incredible task of helping Mom raise our large family, including five of us children who remained at home. Our ages ranged from 8 to 17 years old.

His unselfish resolve to help raise such a family through the most difficult times underscores the word commitment. His strict rules were not immediately appreciated, but he must have known we needed such boundaries. It was a tough transition but we later recognized it as “tough love”.

He was a man of many skills, especially carpentry. He taught some of us to saw wood properly without binding the blade. And taught us to swing a hammer. He had about 99 percent accuracy. The other 1 percent was when the hammer missed the nail and smashed his thumb!

After moving into the house in Mountlake Terrace, he didn’t waste much time renovating it. Much work went into replacing rotten floor and upgrading some doors. I’ll never forget helping him replace the roof. It’s amazing that after 30 years that roof is still in service.

Also during those early years, we helped Jerry plant a small vegetable garden, including lettuce, tomato, carrots and peas. However, Jerry introduced a strange looking plant that I didn’t consider edible. Eventually we all grew to really like it, but it first had to be chopped-up and made into the now famous Rhubarb pie.

We later recognized his actions were a labor of love. Jerry modeled a work ethic but also a love for family. I’m glad he believed in God and Christian values, otherwise I don’t think he would have had the fortitude to endure raising us.

One of the last visits I had with Jerry included a significant prayer. He recited the following;

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.”

Two weeks later and on the night that Jerry died, Jean and Melinda had paid their last visit and upon walking to their car they saw a shooting star.

We love you Jerry and we miss you.

Some Flowers on a Rainy Day

April 13, 2010

Flower in His Garden

April 13, 2010

Flowers in His Garden

April 13, 2010

Linda(The oldest of His Stepchildren). with Mother

April 3, 2010

I took the pictures of his yard in July, way past flower blooming season

April 3, 2010

Mary Griffin

April 3, 2010

Jerry, My Stepfather was Married to my Mother going on 35 yrs. I was already married when He married Mom and I was living out of State. When I would come and visit, He would go out of his way to accomidate Me and my family. I remember so many things that He did so special. One thing that stands out to me, is that He loved to play with Children and keep them occupied. He also would take them for walks. He spent alot of time working on his yard and garden, and the grandkids would get out there with him and try to help. He turned his back yard into a paradise, especially to me, because I live in the Arizona (The Desert). He hung bird feeders all around and some of the most beautiful birds would inhabit the yard. And the squirls were also frequent visitors. Mom has a beautiful view of the back and side , especially because he had built on an addition, and put in tall windows accross the back of it. and the patio was filled with hanging baskets that he made in his shop. He kept his wood stove burning( I mean sometimes it would be so hot in that living room, that you would feel like you were going to melt!) with wood he would go out and chop himself. And when the storms would blow down some of those huge trees ,and they would be laying accross the road, he would be right out there with his chain saw. Jerry was always such a support to Mother. Every event would be working like a trouper, and you could always rely on Him to run to the store, and haul everything back and forth, and clean up. I'm glad Mother married Him, He was a much needed Role Model, especially for my 5 brothers. Oh, I didn't mention how he was a mechanic also. He had his share of helping with repairs. He was very practical and very simple(frugal). And that was a good teacher especially to my younger siblings that grew up under Him. He would recycle anything he could. My Mother could tell you all about it!. Infact, the wood floors and kitchen cabinets were recycled from another home. You would never know, unless you were told. Jerry decided to live out his last days at home, and now he is no longer suffering. I made a card for Him that Mom read to Him within a couple of weeks of His passing. I wrote that God probably has a garden waiting for Him, and that Jesus was waiting with open arms. And that I appreciated all He has done for Mom, the kids and Grandkids. He truely was sacrificial, by taking time to help others. One more thing is that He had desired for years to someday have a nice sized sail boat. I remember asking him, why he wasn't sailing any more (he had a small boat then). He said that things changed, and He had more important things to do.
I wish He could have been around for another 20+ yrs.. but I'll have to say, that He had almost 80 productive yrs and that beat the odds, so I am grateful. I'm looking forward to seeing Him again someday.