Obituaries

John "Jack" Joseph McCann, JD, a resident of Danville, Pennsylvania, died at his home on January 31, 2025, after steadfastly facing his second battle with stage 4 cancer. Born on January 1, 1942, in Rochester, New York as the second-born twin to his late parents, John Leonard McCann, MD and Elizabeth Grace Clark McCann, RN.

Jack is survived by his siblings, Jacqueline Marie McCann, RN of Queensbury, New York, and his estranged sister Joan Elizabeth “JoBette” McCann; his son, Edward Winsor, PE with Edward’s betrothed Casandra Marie Huff; and Jack’s wife, Jill A. Largent, MD

Jack was a memorable man of remarkable achievements and dedication. Jack earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University and his law degree from Syracuse University. His career was as diverse as it was impactful. He served as a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman, a police officer in Hudson Falls, New York, a second-generation volunteer firefighter, and a member of the local rescue squad before entering his calling as an attorney. He briefly practiced law in upstate New York before becoming a Federal Prosecutor, the career that would define him.

Jack dedicated 37 years to the U.S. government, first in the U.S. Navy, and primarily as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York and the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In these roles, he briefly prosecuted white-collar criminals before moving on to his true calling of prosecuting organized criminals, gang members, and drug traffickers before their actions could devastate communities. His career resulted in several (fortunately unsuccessful) contracts on his life. He judged Moot Court at Albany Law School and presented over 100 drug use mitigation programs to schools and parent groups in central Pennsylvania, in addition to his work as a US Attorney.

Jack’s adventurous spirit defined his life outside of work. His tenacity was demonstrated when he both water and snow skied on a November day less than a month after being discharged from the navy as a 100% service-connected disabled veteran at age 22 and outliving his prognosis by several weeks. He always had a dog by his side and trained golden retrievers for both hunting and therapy. He met his wife at a winter mountaineering school and enjoyed backpacking, white-water canoeing and rafting. Jack was an avid horseman who wore cowboy boots into the courtroom and also worked as a cowhand in Texas during a vacation.

Jack and Jill helped establish "Camp Spiffy-Kids” with him as the consiglieri. He was the long-time Christmas morning Santa at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. He pursued photography and bird watching with passion and technical skill. W3GY was an avid amateur radio operator who was involved in local clubs and THE non-club radio club. Jack’s booming voice made him a popular announcer at horses shows including at the Susquehanna Corral. In retirement, he and Jill explored national parks in Hedwig, their motorhome, including a winter photography trip to Yellowstone.

Jack’s legacy will live on through the many lives he touched with his kindness, courage, and zest for life. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 1:30 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 68 Center Street, Danville, PA with Father Timothy Marcoe as celebrant. Friends will be received from 12:30pm until 1:15pm.

The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821. www.visneski.com.