Jerome Mccann

Jerome "Jerry" Harris McCann passed away March 28, 2012.

He was born in Glendive to Joe and Alma McCann on April 21, 1924. He was raised in Circle, and lived in Fort Peck for four years until the school closed. He returned to Circle and lived in the school dormitory for the final two years to graduate in 1943.

He joined the Merchant Marines and worked as a fireman, water tender and a sailor, until going to officer training school, graduated and then worked as an engineer in California. Following World War II, he lived in Mountain Home, Idaho, working in a sawmill and as a fireman at the Mountain Home Air Force Base for six years until being hired as a boiler inspector for Hartford Steam Boiler Company. He lived in Worland, Wyo., for three years, then transferred to Billings in 1957 until 1980, then accepted a transfer to Hawaii for six years. After this, he returned to Billings, where he retired to garden, golf and snow ski.

While in the Merchant Marines, he married Nora E. Green from Circle. They were married for 44 years before Nora passed away in January 1989. Nora and Jerry had three children: Jeanne Pyette from Seattle (son Royce and daughter Anastasia (Steve) and granddaughter Sheala); Michael McCann (Susan) from Phillipsburg (son Shawn (Stephanie), granddaughters Jordynn, Joelle and Callie, daughter Lindsey (Clayton), granddaughter Sydney and grandson Carter); and Patrick McCann (Patti Jo) from Fort Collins, Colo. (Cooper (Desiree), grandson Tristan Jerome). During his years in Billings, Nora and Jerry were both very active in the Catholic school system.

After Nora's death, he moved to various apartments and, in 2010, he moved to The Memory Care Unit at The Springs in Missoula, where he became a diehard Grizzlies fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alma McCann; wife, Nora; brother, Leroy; and sister, Denise. His survivors include youngest sister Corrin Magruder, Missoula; three children; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and various cousins and relatives.

A viewing and memorial will take place at the Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary on Friday, April 6. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery at 1 p.m., next to his beloved Nora. The family is hosting a summer celebration of Jerry's life.

All memorials sent to the Hospice of their choice.

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