HERMON – Clarence Alan McCann, 54, went home to be with his Lord and Savior June 15, 2011, while surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with leiomyosarcoma. It is truly difficult to believe that a heart so full of love could ever stop beating. Clarence was born June 22, 1956, in Bangor, the 13th child of Edward L. and Edith M. (Soucy) McCann.
Clarence attended St. Mary’s and Bangor area schools before joining the Navy. He proudly served aboard the USS Fulton in New London, Conn., until a knee injury cut short his military career. On his return home Clarence met the love of his life, Denise Pullen, and they were married Aug. 29, 1975, settling in the Bangor area to raise their family. Clarence trained at the University of Maine, Orono, under Chef Robert Marcoux, and became a talented and exceptional chef. During the next 15 years he skillfully employed his craft at several area restaurants. His family and friends will never forget his outstanding seafood primavera, his delicious chicken stew or whatever wonderful dish he would happen to throw together for us. Clarence then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Bangor. He was employed as a mail handler at the Bangor and Hampden offices until his early retirement in 1999. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping with his family. Exploring, muddin’ and treasure hunting, or just being out with “his boys,” Kevin and Nick, also brought him the greatest of pleasure. His many wilderness adventures earned him the endearing nickname “Robinson Clarence.” Clarence’s faith and family were the two most important sources of joy in his life and he gave his all to both. His total trust in his Lord as he lived out the painful complications of his illness will always be a profound inspiration to us all. Clarence was an amazing man who strived to live his life as a blessing. Those fortunate enough to have received that blessing can attest that he most certainly succeeded. He generously shared with us his intense love, his strong faith and incredible sense of humor, and we are so much the better for it. We are truly thankful to be left with so many wonderful memories that will be forever cherished and relived.
Clarence is survived, in addition to his wife of 35 years, by his two daughters, Christina Lee Gooley and her significant other, Wayne Potter, of Hermon, and Holly Ann Hicks and her husband, Allen, of El Paso, Texas; three sons, Alan Clarence McCann and his fiancee‚ Casey Wing, of Bangor, Timothy Paul McCann and his wife, Gabrielle, of Hermon, and Bryan Eric McCann and his wife, Jessica, of Bangor; 10 grandchildren, Kevin Gooley, Bethany McCann, Nicholas Gooley, Alex Smith, Jacob Smith, Aiden McCann, Ethan McCann, Lily McCann, Alora McCann and Mason McCann; seven brothers, Paul McCann and his wife, Marjorie, of Brewer, Donald McCann and his wife, Anastasia, of Arizona, Mike McCann and his wife, Jackie, of Biddeford, Joseph McCann and his wife, Marilyn, of Brewer, Timothy McCann of Gardiner, Mass., Tommy McCann of Arizona and Raymond McCann and his wife, Carol, of Arizona; six sisters, Mary Burgess and her husband, Edward, of Florida, Dorothy Anastos and her husband, Mike, of Arizona, Elizabeth Sormanti and her husband, Steve, of Northampton, Mass., Ellen Short and her husband, Mike, of Oregon, Margaret Dupery and her husband, Phil, of Waterville, and Katherine Boyington and her husband, William, of Greenville, N.C.; many nieces and nephews; and very special and dear friends, Charlie and Brigit Wentworth. In addition to his parents, Clarence was predeceased by three brothers, Edward, Stephen and Christopher.
Friends are invited to call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, June 20, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John Roman Catholic Church, York Street, Bangor. Interment will be afterward at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Ohio Street, Bangor. After the services relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. Gifts in Clarence’s memory may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 848168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.