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| SMM Missionary |
Son of Francis McCann and Ethel Robotham, he was born August
20, 1926. With his two brothers and sister, he was raised in Amityville
and attended St. Martin’s Elementary School. After a short time at
Seton Hall, Patchogue and Cathedral Prep in Brooklyn, he entered
Montfort Prep Seminary in Bay Shore. In August 1948 he entered the
Montfort Novitiate in Nicolet, Canada and made his First Profession
August 15, 1949. Among the first American Montforts to study in
Litchfield, CT, he was ordained a priest March 5, 1955.
Fr. McCann’s first assignment was in Indiana, and twenty
years later he was to return to the Midwest, to Saint Teresa’s Parish in
St. Louis, MO and to Our Lady of Grace Parish in Noblesville, IN. He
also served at Infant Jesus Parish in Port Jefferson from 1963-64 and
again from 1979-83. From 1985-91 he was director the Lourdes in
Litchfield Shrine. Then he served for three years at the parish in East
Falmouth, MA. In 1994 he was named pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in
Bantam CT and served there for 20 years, until his retirement to
Montfort Residence in Bay Shore.
Perhaps the most remarkable facet of Father John’s ministry
was that, over various periods, he served a total of 17 years as
Vocation Director for the Montfort Missionaries – in the Midwest, Ozone
Park, and Bay Shore. He was responsible for dozens of young men entering
Montfort Prep or Novitiate, some becoming Montfort priests and
brothers, others eventually moving on to become wonderful Christian
husbands, fathers and grandfathers.
His retirement years gradually left him more and more
limited in movement and health, and in time he became a resident of
Maria Regina. The staff there, along with family and friends, kept a
dedicated support and care, until he quietly passed in the early morning
of March 30th.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matt 25:21
