David E. Cann

Dave was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on December 16, 1946, to Joyce (Heyman) and Rolland Cann. Growing up, Dave excelled at playing sports like baseball and golf. After graduating from Sandusky St. Mary’s High School, Dave began taking courses at Bowling Green University (Ohio) with the intention of becoming a history teacher. However, instead of completing his education, Dave joined the United States Air Force. His military service led him to Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, where he met his future wife Patricia O’Hara during a chance encounter at the Drive-In Movies. Dave and Pat married in Hampton on February 3, 1968. On the day after his wedding, the Air Force deployed him to Vietnam to support C-130 aircraft, mainly at Kadena AB (Okinawa) and Cam-Rahn Bay. Once his tour of duty was completed, Dave returned to Hampton, Virginia, to support his wife and new daughter, Sheri Lee Cann.

Upon honorable discharge from active duty in the Air Force, Dave and his new family moved to his hometown Sandusky, Ohio. There he picked up work at New Departure and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves. Dave eventually used his military experience to become an airline mechanic and flight engineer for Trans International Airlines, then Trans American Airlines.

While in Sandusky, Dave and Pat welcomed their first and second sons, Michael David Cann (1971) and Christopher Daniel Cann (1975).

Known as “Heavy”, Dave continued his service in the Air Force Reserves (including serving in the 179th Tactical Airlift Group at the Youngstown, Ohio, AFB) until 1994, ultimately reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt). While in the Air Force, Dave served as an aircraft mechanic, maintenance specialist, flight engineer, and operations intelligence analyst.

In 1986, Dave joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an aircraft maintenance inspector. He worked for the FAA for 22 years while rising through the ranks as a Principal Maintenance Inspector with responsibility for major airline carriers, then Flight Standards District Office Manager in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and finally as a Senior Executive in Washington, D.C. in charge of Aircraft Maintenance Policy. Dave retired from the FAA in 2008.

Post FAA retirement, Dave founded DC Aviation Consulting (2008-2018) serving as an expert witness in the Air France Concorde Accident and providing other regulatory, legal, and quality control services. Dave also worked as Vice President - Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Compliance for AAR Corporation (2009 – 2011).

Dave also served his community as a volunteer with the Port Orange Police Department, as a member of the Aviation Maintenance Science Industry Advisory Board for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona), as an aircraft restorer at Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Museum (Titusville), and was also a devout member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Port Orange.

When Dave wasn’t working, he enjoyed hiking - completing most of the Appalachian Trail as “Wingnut” in 1999 before the FAA called him back to work. He also enjoyed tinkering in his garage, repairing 1800s era rifles, and watching TV shows like Band of Brothers, Cleveland Indians baseball games, and racing, particularly the Blaney family (Lou, Dave, Dale, and Ryan).

Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years Patricia, daughter Sheri (Michael), and sons Michael (Carrie) and Christopher (Michelle), and grandchildren Caitlin, Courtney, Olivia “Gracie”, Paige, Dominic, and Calen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 3033 Wilson Blvd, Ste 300, Arlington, VA 22201 or donate online in honor of David Edward Cann via https://www.vvmf.org/give-to-vvmf/.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 25th at 11:00am at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange FL 32129.