John T. McCann
John T. “Roof Tar” McCann, 85, of Carmichaels, died at 4:25 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2011, in his home.
He was born June 25, 1926, 50 years to the exact day of Custer’s last stand, in a log cabin on a hill in Valley Hollow, Monongahela Township, Greene County.
Mr. McCann was a son of the late Clarence and Gladys Mildred Barnhart McCann.
At the age of 16, he left Mapletown High School to begin working in local coal mines to support his family.
Mr. McCann joined the U.S. Navy May 1, 1944, and graduated from underwater demolition training at Fort Pierce, Fla. During the battles in the Philippine Islands, his unit went ashore under the cover of darkness to inspect the beaches prior to the attack landing. In the Mediterranean, he served aboard the light cruiser Savannah, where he was in the presence of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Douglas McArthur.
While stationed in Hawaii, Mr. McCann took part in an entertainment show, where he outswam Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan).
After World War II, he returned home to Greene County and began working at the Clyde Mine in Fredericktown. When the mine went on strike, he worked for 10 years as a mechanic at the former Baily’s Garage in Carmichaels. In 1968, he was hired at the Nemacolin Mine, from where he retired in 1985.
Mr. McCann served as a deacon at Sugar Grove Baptist Church, Greensboro, and was a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 6290.
Over the years, he coached baseball teams, took up square dancing and built sheds and barns.
Mr. McCann enjoyed attending auctions and collecting farm and coal-mining memorabilia. He displayed his collections at many local festivals.
On July 26, 1954, he married Clarice Leanna Fuller, who survives.
Also surviving are five sons, Dennis R. McCann and wife Elaine of Carmichaels, Thomas C. McCann at home, Terry L. McCann and wife Carol of Independence, Ky., Timothy W. McCann and wife Susan of Claysville and Gregory A. McCann and wife Mary of Waynesburg; two daughters, Sioux A. Hargarger and husband Lane and Dawn L. Wise and husband Larry, all of Carmichaels; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, William Melvin McCann and wife Pauline of Diamond Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Rose Townsend and husband Jim of Rices Landing and Myra Maslanka of Chapman, Kan.; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, Clarence Barry McCann, who died in infancy, James Lee McCann and Raymond McCann, and two sisters, Roberta Jones and Johanna Kelly.
Under a special Pennsylvania program called Operation Recognition, Mr. McCann was honored May 27, 2011, at Mapletown High School to receive his high school diploma.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sugar Grove Baptist Church, c/o William Humbert, 1884 South Eighty Eight Road, Greensboro, PA 15338.