James E. McGann

James Edward McGann, 80, of Dennis, Massachusetts, passed away after a brief illness on October 29, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Manchester, Connecticut, Jim was the dear son of Amelia (Hamill) McGann and James Patrick McGann. He is survived by his beloved family: his wife of 58 years, Mary (Vinton) McGann, daughter Dawn McGann Pope and her husband John W.R. Pope III, son Michael James McGann and his wife Claudete Fagundes, grandsons John McGann Pope and William Carrigan Pope, sister Maureen (McGann) Cavallo, his cherished nieces and nephews, and many much-loved extended family members.

Jim graduated from Manchester High School in 1963 and attended the Hartford Institute of Accounting (University of Hartford). He worked for Mal Tool in Manchester and served 6 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, before following his boyhood dream to live on Cape Cod. A Cape resident since 1972, Jim first settled with his young family in Yarmouth. In 1994 he built a new home with Mary in Dennis, where he delighted in landscaping his yard and walking the beautiful town beaches.

Jim shared his whole life with Mary, although it was not until their marriage that they realized they been baptized, received their First Communion, and been confirmed on the same days in their Manchester churches. Jim and Mary attended their senior prom together, and four years later they were married on a spring day, followed by a honeymoon on Cape Cod. Soon after, Jim began his most important job, as Dad to Dawn and Mike. He protected them, worked hard to provide for them, taught them to stay safe, and to love animals and nature. He celebrated every success, was at every school event, and was the parent always willing to do the late evening carpool for his children and their friends. Memories of long summer beach days together will be cherished.

With a passion for the outdoors in all seasons, Jim shared that with his family and friends. Many glorious weekends were spent at Nauset beach where he played in the waves with his children, or in later years enjoying a picnic lunch at Cold Storage beach. Family vacations to the coast of Maine and visits to sunny Florida and California are treasured memories. When he became a grandfather, Jim shared his fondness for the beach and being outside with his grandsons. He was proud to attend the commissioning ceremonies of both, Jack into the U.S. Coast Guard and Will into the U.S. Space Force. He had an extensive collection of military t-shirts and wore them frequently, hoping someone would mention them so he could talk about their service. Jim loved his daughter-in-law Claudete and son-in-law John as his own children. He had a deep respect for John's U.S. Navy career, and he greatly admired Claudete's close ties to her family in Brazil, wishing he had been able to visit there with her and Mike.

Jim had a great devotion to animals, particularly his best buddy Max the cat, his previous pets, and all the backyard wildlife. He took pride in his beautiful yard where the grass was manicured, the flowers were blooming, and the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks were well fed. For many years he and Mary had a garden plot at the Dennis Community Garden where they grew tomatoes, cucumbers, and gorgeous flowers. Jim had an ear for music, and he would whistle or hum perfectly in tune as he gardened or worked around the home.

Employed by Cape Cod Gas/Colonial Gas, Jim retired after 28 years and subsequently worked for Ocean Edge Resort and Thirwood Place. He embodied a "work to live, not live to work" mindset, believing balance was the key to happiness. He considered his family, his marriage, his lovely home, and good times with close friends his greatest successes. Always ready to assist a neighbor, Jim will be remembered for a quiet kindness that was visible in his actions, lending a helping hand wherever needed.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 13, 11:00 AM, at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Rd., Brewster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wild Care Cape Cod, Eastham, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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