Joseph Samuel McCann's Obituary
Joseph Samuel McCann passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, in Annapolis MD at the age of 90.
Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on August 2, 1935, to Lenore K. and Joseph S. McCann, Joseph grew up in Bayside, New York and Montrose, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Le Moyne College and went on to proudly serve in the New York Air National Guard with the 138th Fighter Squadron, affectionately known as the “Boys from Syracuse”.
During his service, Joseph was deployed to Fallsburg, France, where he survived a remarkable aviation emergency. After ejecting from a disabled fighter jet at just 300 feet, he lived to tell the tale and earned the nickname “the 300-foot kid”. In recognition of this event, he was awarded the Caterpillar Pin, an honor signifying courage, skill, and survival against extraordinary odds.
In 1962, Joseph married Joann Markham McCann. Together they welcomed two daughters, Virginia Taylor Owens and Leigh McCann Goetzke, and built a life that followed his career, living in Manlius, New York; Clovis, New Mexico; Fairfax, Virginia; and ultimately Annapolis, Maryland.
Alongside his military service, Joseph enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in aviation as a pilot with Mohawk Airlines, Alleghany Airlines and with USAir, from which he retired in 1994. Aviation was not only his profession but a lifelong passion that shaped much of his life.
An avid outdoorsman, Joseph’s many hobbies included boating, flying, fishing, and hunting. He took particular pride in sailing and racing the family sailboat, ICY MAY, with his wife and daughters as his all-girl crew. In later years, he could often be found with Joann on the water aboard Glory, their Bertram 20, in the air flying their Cessna 170B or at their beloved cottage on Elk Lake fishing or hunting.
Joseph had a strong personality and clear opinions, and he was never shy about sharing either. He had a knack for fixing what was broken—whether it was an engine, a boat, a plane, or house—and he usually did it his own way. He’ll be remembered for his determination, his humor and his adventurous spirit.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joann Markham McCann, his daughters, Virginia Taylor Owens and her husband Chris, and Leigh McCann Goetzke and her husband Mark, and his five grandchildren, Chesley and Morgan Owens and Patrick, Erin, and Brendan Goetzke.
Visitation will be at Lasting Tributes Funeral Care, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Wednesday, January 14th from 6pm to 8pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, 701 College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409 on Thursday, January 15th at 11am. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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