James McCann, Sr.

James J. McCann, age 80, of Drexel Hill, died on January 8, 2016. Mr. McCann was a resident of Drexel Park for over forty years and was active in Republican politics and community affairs. Mr. McCann was the son of Joseph and Mary McCann, and was a native of Lansford, PA.



Mr. McCann was a graduate of Fordham University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance Mr. McCann also attended St. Francis College in Loretto, PA. Mr. McCann has served as president and vice president of the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the Fordham University Alumni Association. Mr. McCann was a member of the Fordham Golden Rams.



Mr. McCann's vast employment experience included: Examiner for the National Association of Securities Dealers; Philadelphia Regional Manager for Moody's Investors Service. Executive Vice President of Philadelphia Financial Advisors; Assistant Vice-President of the Vanguard Group where he was instrumental in designing and marketing the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust, a money market fund for local government and school district entities; Executive Director and a member of the Board of Directors of the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority, an authority which makes short-term construction loans to government entities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties; and Coordinator of Community Development for Delaware County, in Darby Borough and southeastern Delaware County.



Mr. McCann served for thirty years as a Member of the Board of Trustees of Delaware County Community College. He was granted Emeritus status in 2009. He was cited by the Pennsylvania Senate, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the County of Delaware for his service to the community college. He served fifteen years as member of the Board of Directors of the Darby Creek Joint Water and Sewer Authority. He had served, under appointment from the federal government, on the Philadelphia District Council of the Small Business Administration. Also, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority. He was an Arbitrator for NASDAQ where he settled security disputes concerning the NASD, SEC and Federal Reserve Board for over eleven years.



Mr. McCann was engaged in community organizations and served as President and member of the Board of Directors of the Drexel Park Homeowners Association; President of the Drexel Hill League; Vice President of the Drexel Hill Athletic Leagues; President of the Drexel Hill Home and School Association, and, as council representative of the Upper Darby Home and School Association. Mr. McCann served as Judge of Elections in Upper Darby's 5th District 3rd Ward for twelve years. Mr. McCann was a member of the Tau Delta Epsilon fraternity.



Mr. McCann was a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Drexel Hill where he served as a Minister of Hospitality (usher) for over forty years.



Mr. McCann was married to the former Joanne E. Schick, for forty-nine years, who passed away in 2008. Mr. McCann is survived by four children Colleen P. De John (Thomas), James J. McCann, Jr. (Kris Rullo)), Tara E. Smith (Thomas) and Brian N. McCann (Jennifer), his daughter-in-law Alissa McCann DeMaria, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his sister Margaret McCann Niemczyk of Annandale, VA, by his brother Joseph and sister-in law Katherine McCann, of Tamaqua, PA, and brother-in law Ambassador Julian M. Niemczyk. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sandra Lentz and brother-in-law Dr. Conrad Lentz of Bethlem, PA.



A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 15, 2016 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewing Thursday, January 14th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 610-449-0300 and Friday, January 15th from 10:00 to 10:50 AM at St. Andrew the Apostle Church. Interment will be in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware County Community College, Meghan Smith Scholarship Fund, 901 Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063.