Donald H. "Duke" McCann

Born in Fall River, the son of the late Leon N. and Bertha B. (Hardy) McCann, he attended Westall School in Fall River, Case High School in Swansea and graduated from Admiral Billard Academy in 1946. A graduate of United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1950, he was a 3rd Mate in the Merchant Marine Corps from 1950 – 1953 and was a United States Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade and Korean War Veteran. He was the President and Owner of Consolidated Thread Mills of Fall River for more than 50 years.

He is survived by his three daughters and one son, Martha M. Higham of South Kingstown, husband Kirk, Jennifer H. McCann of Richmond, husband Armand Michaud, Harriet M. Lamont of Richmond, RI and Andrew F. McCann of Middletown, RI; and five grandchildren, Elena and Mason Lamont, Sally and Theo Michaud, and Genaveve Higham. He was the brother of the late Priscilla D. McCann (PD) and Barbara Ashton.

Duke enjoyed skiing at King Pine Ski Area until he was 79 years old. He swam during the summer often 2-3 times a day either in the Sakonnet River, at Brigg’s Beach in Little Compton, or in the Purity Spring lake in New Hampshire. He played tennis, badmitten, hiked and loved a good game of cribbage and solitaire. Throughout his life he raced Candy Boats, Beetle Cats, Bulls Eyes, Lightnings, Ensigns and J-24’s, which led to many wins, including two Narragansett Bay Yachting Association championships in the Ensign class. His sense of humor, witty comments, life remedies and jokes, along with his competitive drive to win, contributed to a rich, fun, and active life.

He was a member of the Coles River Community Club, Tiverton Planning Board, Narragansett Bay Yachting Association, The Acoaxet Club, Assistant Scout Master of Troop 1, a member and 1-term Commodore of the Tiverton Yacht Club, the Moby Dick Council Executive Board and finally served loyally 25 years as a Trustee for The Tiverton Public Library.

His funeral will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 8:30am from the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea, MA; followed by a Funeral Service at 11:30am in First Baptist Old Stone Church, 7 Old Stone Church Rd., Tiverton, RI. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours prior to his service are from 8:30 – 10:30am at the funeral home. Contributions in his memory may be made to: The Tiverton Public Library, 34 Roosevelt Ave, Tiverton, RI 02878; or The Tiverton Yacht Club, PO Box 54, Tiverton, RI 02878.