Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Obituary:
Jay McCann spent his life helping people and building relationships, on and off the job.
Mr. McCann was an astute financial planner and a humanitarian devoted to children's causes.
Joseph James "Jay" McCann Jr. of North Fayette, an agent and financial planner with the MassMutual Financial Group, died of natural causes on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in his home. He was 56.
"Serving others was typical of my brother's life," said Monica Marks of Cecil. "Jay loved life and lived life. He was honest and a natural when it came to making friendships.
Mr. McCann was involved with the Lanny Frattare Golf Classic, which benefited the Parent & Child Guidance Center in Banksville. He served on the board of a Children's Hospital summer camp for young amputees, providing a retreat for adolescents.
"And like Fred Rogers of WQED, who was his friend, my brother enjoyed the company of his nieces and nephews and the time he spent with them," Marks said.
Kathy Harshall of Bethel Park said her long friendship with Mr. McCann was an important part of her life.
"Jay and I were involved in many worthy projects," said Harshall, "such as the Grand Prix races in support of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Jay always looked for and found the best in everybody."
Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Mr. McCann was one of four children in the family of Emily E. Frank McCann of Mt. Lebanon and the late Joseph James McCann Sr., a financial officer for Ryan Homes.
He graduated from South Catholic High School (now Seton-La Salle), received his undergraduate degree in communications from the Jesuit Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and became associated with Ryan Homes.
Garry McCann of Upper St. Clair said his brother's financial acumen enabled him to join MassMutual's Million Dollar Round Table. "Jay was also involved with the National Trust for Historic Conservation and the area's Jesuit Alumni Club," his brother said.
In addition to his brother, Garry; sister, Monica; and mother, Emily, Mr. McCann is survived by his sister, Yvonne Dunn of Florida; nieces and nephews, Christopher and Nicholas Reitze; Daniel, Molly and Joe McCann, and Jesse and Travis Marks; and aunts and uncles, Norma Scheck, Mary Lou Parker and Michael McCann.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road in Scott.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Winifred Church, 550 Sleepy Hollow Road in Mt. Lebanon.
*** *** ***
Phi Kappa Tau Obituary:
On May 13, 2012, Foundation Trustee and Past National President Jay McCann, Spring Hill '74, entered Chapter Eternal. He was 56 years old.
The quintessential Phi Tau, McCann was devoted to his Fraternity. He served the organization in almost every capacity: National President, Foundation trustee, National Councilor, Domain Director, chapter volunteer and committee member.
As many of his Phi Tau brothers attested, McCann wasn't looking for notoriety, he simply wanted to move his beloved Fraternity forward.
"Jay was never one to just serve, he led by example," said National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany '86. "He won the Stennis Award as a Domain Director and the Key Award for outstanding contributions to a chapter other than his own. He was very active while in various roles on the National Council and was a generous contributor to our Foundation, both monetarily and through being an active trustee. In fact, he was serving his Fraternity just last weekend at the Foundation Board of Trustee meeting in Louisville, Ky."
Perhaps what he loved most about Phi Kappa Tau was his "second chapter," a term he used to describe the bond all members can have with brothers from chapters other than their own—essentially a second chapter at the national level.
"His major focus was always on getting more alumni involved in the Fraternity, and he loved to travel and meet members—for whom he had an incredible memory for faces and names," said Past National President Charlie Ball, Miami '82. "His happiest moments as president were those on the road at charterings, Conventions, Regional Conferences and the like. He loved to present an inspirational talk that he called the ‘Leadership Toolkit' that was always well received by alumni and undergraduates alike."
In addition to getting alumni re-engaged, he brought non-members into the fold. At the 2002 National Convention in New Orleans, McCann led his father's honorary initiation ceremony.
"It was one of his happiest moments as National President," Ball said. "He was thrilled to have his parents and so many close friends at the final banquet of the Convention in one of his favorite cities."
On a professional level, McCann's résumé was equally impressive. He worked as a financial services provider for MassMutual Financial Group. In addition, McCann was involved with various charitable and community organizations, including the Pittsburgh Area Jesuit Alumni Club, Massachusetts Mutual Agents Association and Spring Hill College Alumni Association.
"Personally, he was the reason my wife and I moved to Pittsburgh and I got into the financial advising field with MassMutual," said Adam Goetz, Clemson '95. "I was always impressed that Jay did things his own way and liked working with ‘regular people,' never wanting to get into fancy options. He got to know his clients like nobody else and always had his home phone number on his card as he knew how important the work we did was. His community involvement has been tremendous, and his warm personality just attracted people to him. He was always quick with a joke, but caring when necessary."
One of McCann's most notable personal hobbies was following the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his friends agree that it's one of the first things they associate with him … although the list is long.
"His passion really knew no bounds," said Rick Keltner, Sacramento State '76. "He was passionate about baseball in general and the Pittsburgh Pirates in particular. In his home office, Jay kept a collection of baseball bats autographed by many Pirate greats. They were, I think, the only trophies that he didn't keep stored in a filing cabinet somewhere."
But above all else, people, and the relationships he nurtured, were most important.
"For Jay, life was all about relationships—relationships to other people and to important institutions and organizations," Ball said. "And I think that is why he was so committed to Phi Kappa Tau—it is an organization that is fundamentally about forming and nurturing personal relationships. Jay was the walking, talking embodiment of brotherhood. Though he will be deeply missed, he will live on to the degree that others of us model what we learned from him."
Viewing times are scheduled from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, and Thursday, May 17, at William Slater II Funeral Service (1650 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15220). A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at St. Winifred Church (550 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15228).
Donations may be made to the Joseph J. McCann Sr. Memorial Speaker Fund through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation (www.phikappatau.org/donate). Please designate that your gift is to the fund in memory of Jay McCann.
Jay McCann spent his life helping people and building relationships, on and off the job.
Mr. McCann was an astute financial planner and a humanitarian devoted to children's causes.
Joseph James "Jay" McCann Jr. of North Fayette, an agent and financial planner with the MassMutual Financial Group, died of natural causes on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in his home. He was 56.
"Serving others was typical of my brother's life," said Monica Marks of Cecil. "Jay loved life and lived life. He was honest and a natural when it came to making friendships.
Mr. McCann was involved with the Lanny Frattare Golf Classic, which benefited the Parent & Child Guidance Center in Banksville. He served on the board of a Children's Hospital summer camp for young amputees, providing a retreat for adolescents.
"And like Fred Rogers of WQED, who was his friend, my brother enjoyed the company of his nieces and nephews and the time he spent with them," Marks said.
Kathy Harshall of Bethel Park said her long friendship with Mr. McCann was an important part of her life.
"Jay and I were involved in many worthy projects," said Harshall, "such as the Grand Prix races in support of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Jay always looked for and found the best in everybody."
Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Mr. McCann was one of four children in the family of Emily E. Frank McCann of Mt. Lebanon and the late Joseph James McCann Sr., a financial officer for Ryan Homes.
He graduated from South Catholic High School (now Seton-La Salle), received his undergraduate degree in communications from the Jesuit Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and became associated with Ryan Homes.
Garry McCann of Upper St. Clair said his brother's financial acumen enabled him to join MassMutual's Million Dollar Round Table. "Jay was also involved with the National Trust for Historic Conservation and the area's Jesuit Alumni Club," his brother said.
In addition to his brother, Garry; sister, Monica; and mother, Emily, Mr. McCann is survived by his sister, Yvonne Dunn of Florida; nieces and nephews, Christopher and Nicholas Reitze; Daniel, Molly and Joe McCann, and Jesse and Travis Marks; and aunts and uncles, Norma Scheck, Mary Lou Parker and Michael McCann.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road in Scott.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Winifred Church, 550 Sleepy Hollow Road in Mt. Lebanon.
*** *** ***
Phi Kappa Tau Obituary:
On May 13, 2012, Foundation Trustee and Past National President Jay McCann, Spring Hill '74, entered Chapter Eternal. He was 56 years old.
The quintessential Phi Tau, McCann was devoted to his Fraternity. He served the organization in almost every capacity: National President, Foundation trustee, National Councilor, Domain Director, chapter volunteer and committee member.
As many of his Phi Tau brothers attested, McCann wasn't looking for notoriety, he simply wanted to move his beloved Fraternity forward.
"Jay was never one to just serve, he led by example," said National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany '86. "He won the Stennis Award as a Domain Director and the Key Award for outstanding contributions to a chapter other than his own. He was very active while in various roles on the National Council and was a generous contributor to our Foundation, both monetarily and through being an active trustee. In fact, he was serving his Fraternity just last weekend at the Foundation Board of Trustee meeting in Louisville, Ky."
Perhaps what he loved most about Phi Kappa Tau was his "second chapter," a term he used to describe the bond all members can have with brothers from chapters other than their own—essentially a second chapter at the national level.
"His major focus was always on getting more alumni involved in the Fraternity, and he loved to travel and meet members—for whom he had an incredible memory for faces and names," said Past National President Charlie Ball, Miami '82. "His happiest moments as president were those on the road at charterings, Conventions, Regional Conferences and the like. He loved to present an inspirational talk that he called the ‘Leadership Toolkit' that was always well received by alumni and undergraduates alike."
In addition to getting alumni re-engaged, he brought non-members into the fold. At the 2002 National Convention in New Orleans, McCann led his father's honorary initiation ceremony.
"It was one of his happiest moments as National President," Ball said. "He was thrilled to have his parents and so many close friends at the final banquet of the Convention in one of his favorite cities."
On a professional level, McCann's résumé was equally impressive. He worked as a financial services provider for MassMutual Financial Group. In addition, McCann was involved with various charitable and community organizations, including the Pittsburgh Area Jesuit Alumni Club, Massachusetts Mutual Agents Association and Spring Hill College Alumni Association.
"Personally, he was the reason my wife and I moved to Pittsburgh and I got into the financial advising field with MassMutual," said Adam Goetz, Clemson '95. "I was always impressed that Jay did things his own way and liked working with ‘regular people,' never wanting to get into fancy options. He got to know his clients like nobody else and always had his home phone number on his card as he knew how important the work we did was. His community involvement has been tremendous, and his warm personality just attracted people to him. He was always quick with a joke, but caring when necessary."
One of McCann's most notable personal hobbies was following the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his friends agree that it's one of the first things they associate with him … although the list is long.
"His passion really knew no bounds," said Rick Keltner, Sacramento State '76. "He was passionate about baseball in general and the Pittsburgh Pirates in particular. In his home office, Jay kept a collection of baseball bats autographed by many Pirate greats. They were, I think, the only trophies that he didn't keep stored in a filing cabinet somewhere."
But above all else, people, and the relationships he nurtured, were most important.
"For Jay, life was all about relationships—relationships to other people and to important institutions and organizations," Ball said. "And I think that is why he was so committed to Phi Kappa Tau—it is an organization that is fundamentally about forming and nurturing personal relationships. Jay was the walking, talking embodiment of brotherhood. Though he will be deeply missed, he will live on to the degree that others of us model what we learned from him."
Viewing times are scheduled from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, and Thursday, May 17, at William Slater II Funeral Service (1650 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15220). A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at St. Winifred Church (550 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15228).
Donations may be made to the Joseph J. McCann Sr. Memorial Speaker Fund through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation (www.phikappatau.org/donate). Please designate that your gift is to the fund in memory of Jay McCann.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Obituary:
Jay McCann spent his life helping people and building relationships, on and off the job.
Mr. McCann was an astute financial planner and a humanitarian devoted to children's causes.
Joseph James "Jay" McCann Jr. of North Fayette, an agent and financial planner with the MassMutual Financial Group, died of natural causes on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in his home. He was 56.
"Serving others was typical of my brother's life," said Monica Marks of Cecil. "Jay loved life and lived life. He was honest and a natural when it came to making friendships.
Mr. McCann was involved with the Lanny Frattare Golf Classic, which benefited the Parent & Child Guidance Center in Banksville. He served on the board of a Children's Hospital summer camp for young amputees, providing a retreat for adolescents.
"And like Fred Rogers of WQED, who was his friend, my brother enjoyed the company of his nieces and nephews and the time he spent with them," Marks said.
Kathy Harshall of Bethel Park said her long friendship with Mr. McCann was an important part of her life.
"Jay and I were involved in many worthy projects," said Harshall, "such as the Grand Prix races in support of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Jay always looked for and found the best in everybody."
Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Mr. McCann was one of four children in the family of Emily E. Frank McCann of Mt. Lebanon and the late Joseph James McCann Sr., a financial officer for Ryan Homes.
He graduated from South Catholic High School (now Seton-La Salle), received his undergraduate degree in communications from the Jesuit Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and became associated with Ryan Homes.
Garry McCann of Upper St. Clair said his brother's financial acumen enabled him to join MassMutual's Million Dollar Round Table. "Jay was also involved with the National Trust for Historic Conservation and the area's Jesuit Alumni Club," his brother said.
In addition to his brother, Garry; sister, Monica; and mother, Emily, Mr. McCann is survived by his sister, Yvonne Dunn of Florida; nieces and nephews, Christopher and Nicholas Reitze; Daniel, Molly and Joe McCann, and Jesse and Travis Marks; and aunts and uncles, Norma Scheck, Mary Lou Parker and Michael McCann.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road in Scott.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Winifred Church, 550 Sleepy Hollow Road in Mt. Lebanon.
*** *** ***
Phi Kappa Tau Obituary:
On May 13, 2012, Foundation Trustee and Past National President Jay McCann, Spring Hill '74, entered Chapter Eternal. He was 56 years old.
The quintessential Phi Tau, McCann was devoted to his Fraternity. He served the organization in almost every capacity: National President, Foundation trustee, National Councilor, Domain Director, chapter volunteer and committee member.
As many of his Phi Tau brothers attested, McCann wasn't looking for notoriety, he simply wanted to move his beloved Fraternity forward.
"Jay was never one to just serve, he led by example," said National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany '86. "He won the Stennis Award as a Domain Director and the Key Award for outstanding contributions to a chapter other than his own. He was very active while in various roles on the National Council and was a generous contributor to our Foundation, both monetarily and through being an active trustee. In fact, he was serving his Fraternity just last weekend at the Foundation Board of Trustee meeting in Louisville, Ky."
Perhaps what he loved most about Phi Kappa Tau was his "second chapter," a term he used to describe the bond all members can have with brothers from chapters other than their own—essentially a second chapter at the national level.
"His major focus was always on getting more alumni involved in the Fraternity, and he loved to travel and meet members—for whom he had an incredible memory for faces and names," said Past National President Charlie Ball, Miami '82. "His happiest moments as president were those on the road at charterings, Conventions, Regional Conferences and the like. He loved to present an inspirational talk that he called the ‘Leadership Toolkit' that was always well received by alumni and undergraduates alike."
In addition to getting alumni re-engaged, he brought non-members into the fold. At the 2002 National Convention in New Orleans, McCann led his father's honorary initiation ceremony.
"It was one of his happiest moments as National President," Ball said. "He was thrilled to have his parents and so many close friends at the final banquet of the Convention in one of his favorite cities."
On a professional level, McCann's résumé was equally impressive. He worked as a financial services provider for MassMutual Financial Group. In addition, McCann was involved with various charitable and community organizations, including the Pittsburgh Area Jesuit Alumni Club, Massachusetts Mutual Agents Association and Spring Hill College Alumni Association.
"Personally, he was the reason my wife and I moved to Pittsburgh and I got into the financial advising field with MassMutual," said Adam Goetz, Clemson '95. "I was always impressed that Jay did things his own way and liked working with ‘regular people,' never wanting to get into fancy options. He got to know his clients like nobody else and always had his home phone number on his card as he knew how important the work we did was. His community involvement has been tremendous, and his warm personality just attracted people to him. He was always quick with a joke, but caring when necessary."
One of McCann's most notable personal hobbies was following the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his friends agree that it's one of the first things they associate with him … although the list is long.
"His passion really knew no bounds," said Rick Keltner, Sacramento State '76. "He was passionate about baseball in general and the Pittsburgh Pirates in particular. In his home office, Jay kept a collection of baseball bats autographed by many Pirate greats. They were, I think, the only trophies that he didn't keep stored in a filing cabinet somewhere."
But above all else, people, and the relationships he nurtured, were most important.
"For Jay, life was all about relationships—relationships to other people and to important institutions and organizations," Ball said. "And I think that is why he was so committed to Phi Kappa Tau—it is an organization that is fundamentally about forming and nurturing personal relationships. Jay was the walking, talking embodiment of brotherhood. Though he will be deeply missed, he will live on to the degree that others of us model what we learned from him."
Viewing times are scheduled from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, and Thursday, May 17, at William Slater II Funeral Service (1650 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15220). A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at St. Winifred Church (550 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15228).
Donations may be made to the Joseph J. McCann Sr. Memorial Speaker Fund through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation (www.phikappatau.org/donate). Please designate that your gift is to the fund in memory of Jay McCann.
Jay McCann spent his life helping people and building relationships, on and off the job.
Mr. McCann was an astute financial planner and a humanitarian devoted to children's causes.
Joseph James "Jay" McCann Jr. of North Fayette, an agent and financial planner with the MassMutual Financial Group, died of natural causes on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in his home. He was 56.
"Serving others was typical of my brother's life," said Monica Marks of Cecil. "Jay loved life and lived life. He was honest and a natural when it came to making friendships.
Mr. McCann was involved with the Lanny Frattare Golf Classic, which benefited the Parent & Child Guidance Center in Banksville. He served on the board of a Children's Hospital summer camp for young amputees, providing a retreat for adolescents.
"And like Fred Rogers of WQED, who was his friend, my brother enjoyed the company of his nieces and nephews and the time he spent with them," Marks said.
Kathy Harshall of Bethel Park said her long friendship with Mr. McCann was an important part of her life.
"Jay and I were involved in many worthy projects," said Harshall, "such as the Grand Prix races in support of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Jay always looked for and found the best in everybody."
Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Mr. McCann was one of four children in the family of Emily E. Frank McCann of Mt. Lebanon and the late Joseph James McCann Sr., a financial officer for Ryan Homes.
He graduated from South Catholic High School (now Seton-La Salle), received his undergraduate degree in communications from the Jesuit Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and became associated with Ryan Homes.
Garry McCann of Upper St. Clair said his brother's financial acumen enabled him to join MassMutual's Million Dollar Round Table. "Jay was also involved with the National Trust for Historic Conservation and the area's Jesuit Alumni Club," his brother said.
In addition to his brother, Garry; sister, Monica; and mother, Emily, Mr. McCann is survived by his sister, Yvonne Dunn of Florida; nieces and nephews, Christopher and Nicholas Reitze; Daniel, Molly and Joe McCann, and Jesse and Travis Marks; and aunts and uncles, Norma Scheck, Mary Lou Parker and Michael McCann.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road in Scott.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Winifred Church, 550 Sleepy Hollow Road in Mt. Lebanon.
*** *** ***
Phi Kappa Tau Obituary:
On May 13, 2012, Foundation Trustee and Past National President Jay McCann, Spring Hill '74, entered Chapter Eternal. He was 56 years old.
The quintessential Phi Tau, McCann was devoted to his Fraternity. He served the organization in almost every capacity: National President, Foundation trustee, National Councilor, Domain Director, chapter volunteer and committee member.
As many of his Phi Tau brothers attested, McCann wasn't looking for notoriety, he simply wanted to move his beloved Fraternity forward.
"Jay was never one to just serve, he led by example," said National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany '86. "He won the Stennis Award as a Domain Director and the Key Award for outstanding contributions to a chapter other than his own. He was very active while in various roles on the National Council and was a generous contributor to our Foundation, both monetarily and through being an active trustee. In fact, he was serving his Fraternity just last weekend at the Foundation Board of Trustee meeting in Louisville, Ky."
Perhaps what he loved most about Phi Kappa Tau was his "second chapter," a term he used to describe the bond all members can have with brothers from chapters other than their own—essentially a second chapter at the national level.
"His major focus was always on getting more alumni involved in the Fraternity, and he loved to travel and meet members—for whom he had an incredible memory for faces and names," said Past National President Charlie Ball, Miami '82. "His happiest moments as president were those on the road at charterings, Conventions, Regional Conferences and the like. He loved to present an inspirational talk that he called the ‘Leadership Toolkit' that was always well received by alumni and undergraduates alike."
In addition to getting alumni re-engaged, he brought non-members into the fold. At the 2002 National Convention in New Orleans, McCann led his father's honorary initiation ceremony.
"It was one of his happiest moments as National President," Ball said. "He was thrilled to have his parents and so many close friends at the final banquet of the Convention in one of his favorite cities."
On a professional level, McCann's résumé was equally impressive. He worked as a financial services provider for MassMutual Financial Group. In addition, McCann was involved with various charitable and community organizations, including the Pittsburgh Area Jesuit Alumni Club, Massachusetts Mutual Agents Association and Spring Hill College Alumni Association.
"Personally, he was the reason my wife and I moved to Pittsburgh and I got into the financial advising field with MassMutual," said Adam Goetz, Clemson '95. "I was always impressed that Jay did things his own way and liked working with ‘regular people,' never wanting to get into fancy options. He got to know his clients like nobody else and always had his home phone number on his card as he knew how important the work we did was. His community involvement has been tremendous, and his warm personality just attracted people to him. He was always quick with a joke, but caring when necessary."
One of McCann's most notable personal hobbies was following the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his friends agree that it's one of the first things they associate with him … although the list is long.
"His passion really knew no bounds," said Rick Keltner, Sacramento State '76. "He was passionate about baseball in general and the Pittsburgh Pirates in particular. In his home office, Jay kept a collection of baseball bats autographed by many Pirate greats. They were, I think, the only trophies that he didn't keep stored in a filing cabinet somewhere."
But above all else, people, and the relationships he nurtured, were most important.
"For Jay, life was all about relationships—relationships to other people and to important institutions and organizations," Ball said. "And I think that is why he was so committed to Phi Kappa Tau—it is an organization that is fundamentally about forming and nurturing personal relationships. Jay was the walking, talking embodiment of brotherhood. Though he will be deeply missed, he will live on to the degree that others of us model what we learned from him."
Viewing times are scheduled from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, and Thursday, May 17, at William Slater II Funeral Service (1650 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15220). A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at St. Winifred Church (550 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15228).
Donations may be made to the Joseph J. McCann Sr. Memorial Speaker Fund through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation (www.phikappatau.org/donate). Please designate that your gift is to the fund in memory of Jay McCann.
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