Chuck "John Charles or Greybeard" McCann

It is with very heavy hearts that the family announces the death of Chuck McCann, 69 years, of Birch Hills on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon. Chuck was born on January 14, 1951 to John and Patricia (nee McGovern) McCann at Ponteix, SK.   He was the oldest of 8.  Due to his father’s employment Chuck’s family moved to different communities in the province. Chuck obtained his elementary education in Admiral, Assiniboia and then graduated from Humboldt Collegiate in Humboldt.  While taking drivers education in Humboldt, Chuck was swept off his feet by a pretty young (15 years old) girl, Geraldine (Gerry) Lukan.  Little did he know at that point that she would be the love of his life, soul mate and best friend for the next 50 years!  After a courtship they were wed on May 16, 1970 at St. Augustine R.C. Parish in Humboldt.  After living and working in Thompson, MB they moved to Saskatchewan.  In 1977 they returned to Humboldt and Chuck began a career in carpentry and was kept very busy.  Chuck’s desire to self-educate and always improve himself led him to go back to school and become an Addiction Councillor graduating in 1990.   It did not take him long to work his way up the ladder where he held the position of Regional Director of Addiction Services in the Prince Albert Health Region.  He was very instrumental in setting up the Family Center in P.A. plus many other programs. Gerry was very much his first love, then his children and extended family. He also had a tremendous passion for “Cowboy Action” where he was known as Greybeard.   His passion allowed Chuck and Gerry to compete in this sport in Saskatchewan, Western Canada and into the USA.  He won many awards throughout his life and the one he cherished most is the one he won with his beloved wife in 2017, the SASS Regulator award, through the worldwide SASS Cowboy Action Association.   He was also the SASS Territorial Governor for Saskatchewan.  Chuck never sat idle, he had a variety of interests and hobbies such as: hunting, fishing, family camping trips and animals, especially dogs.  Coco may have been his favorite dog; he was Chuck’s side kick and companion.  He was very involved in every community they lived in on the service level.  Many children have great memories of his hockey coaching skills, Chuck always was competitive but in a very positive way with these young men.  He continued to have an insatiable appetite for learning of many topics and shared his knowledge and skills with his grandchildren from shooting a gun to a quiet philosophical talk. Chuck was by far the kindest, most generous, compassionate, and giving man you would ever meet.  He treated everyone with respect and was never judgemental.  He was always ready to help anyone he met.  He had an incredible sense of humour which he kept right up to the end. Chuck was very much a Fighter and Lover and was an advocate for all.  He also was a very spiritual, serene, calm man who mentored many people in his life.  His love for his family was incredible, he loved his children and his in-laws equally as much. He fought a tough battle with cancer and was very determined to win, but lost that battle with strength, courage, determination, perseverance, dignity, bravery, ease and grace.  Chuck’s beautiful smile and twinkle in his eyes will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his wife of 50 years Gerry (nee Lukan) McCann of Birch Hills; three children, four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren: Tracy (Robbie) Reifferscheid of Cold Lake, AB and family Amanda (Jeremy) Worobec and children Cierra and Silas of Humboldt, and Amber (Jamie) Reifferscheid and children Rylan and Levi of Lloydminster, AB; Tammy (David) Morgan of Cranbrook, BC and family Steven Morgan of Melville and Logan Morgan of Cranbrook, BC and John (Ashley) McCann of Prince Albert; step mother Anne McCann of Red Deer, AB; siblings: Patricia McCann of Kamloops, BC, Clancey (Debbie) McCann of Edmonton, Malcolm (Margaret) McCann of Saskatoon, Grady McCann of Vancouver, BC, Donna (Tom) McCann of Red Deer, AB and Heather (JK) McCann of Calgary; brothers-and-sisters in-law: Elaine Lukan , Bernie Albers, Veronica (Doug) Dagnais, all of Humboldt and Angie (Ed) Fortin of St. Gregor, numerous nieces, nephews and by many good friends. Chuck was predeceased by his grandson Braden Morgan-McCann, parents John and Patricia McCann, brother Riley McCann, parents in-law Frank and Gertrude Lukan, brothers-and-sisters in-law: Urban Lukan, Cliff Albers, Gen and Jim Bonin and Ed Lang; and nephew Jefferey Lang  Memorial donations in Chuck’s memory maybe directed to Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.  A Private Family Mass has been held.