Obituary: James Joseph McCann

SUN PRAIRIE/ MCFARLAND [Wisconsin] - James Joseph McCann, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2001, at the University Hospital in Madison. He was born on August 13, 1915, in Hartford, Conn., the son of Steven and Mary (Relihan) McCann. His family moved to Madison in 1922, where Jim attended St. Raphael's Parochial School and graduated from Central High School. He married Adelia Pahl on June 8, 1937. A multi-talented and people loving person, he worked in many areas. Early in his marriage while working as a Greyhound bus driver, he and his wife purchased and ran the adjoining restaurant at the Greyhound bus station in Portage. He worked in the TV and appliance business in both Madison and Portage. on moving to McFarland, were his wife was teaching, he served as Municipal judge for the community for 17 years. Jim also proudly served as a member of the U. S. National Guard from 1934 until 1940. He was an active member of Eastside Businessmen's Association, McFarland Lions Club, McFarland Senior Citizens and the McFarland Lutheran Church. He thrived on sharing his handy-man skills, and witty humor with those around him. Jim, truly a "jack of all trades," was a an avid woodworker having gifted many with beautiful grandfather clocks, Queen Ann Desks, trunks and cained chairs. He passes his love of traveling on through his family and always enjoyed being with friends, engaging in a good card game or a round of triominos (which he always seemed to win), and loved inventing ways to keep the squirrels away from his prized bird feeders. His love of volunteering and sharing with others also found him the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award as a 4-H volunteer leader. Survivors include his wife, Adelia; two daughters, Lois (Dave) Keup of Placentia, Calif., and Joyce (William) Mihlbauer of DeForest; four grandchildren, James (Amy) Keup of Mesa, Ariz., Christine Snowberger of Fullerton, Calif., Jennifer Mihlbauer of Chicago, Ill., and William Mihlbauer of DeForest. Jim is also remembered by the many other relatives, friends and acquaintances whose lives he touched. He was a loving, devoted husband and father to his wife of 64 years, his daughters, and grandchildren. He was a gift of love and we will cherish the time we were given with him. We invite all to celebrate the truly amazing life and journey of James J. McCann. He will forever be with us all. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 20, 2001 at 11 a.m. at MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Road, McFarland. Rev. Terry Peterson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lower McFarland Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Sunday, August 19, 2001 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the McFarland Lutheran Church, the American Lung Association of Wisconsin or the American Heart Association of Wisconsin. Olson-Holzhuter-Cress 5801 Hwy 51 McFarland (608)838-0655 www.cressfuneralservice.com

Originally published in The Capital Times on August 17, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)