By Staff
Mr. Robert Earl McCann Jr., 59, passed away at his home in Bath, N.C., on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011.
Robert Earl McCann, Jr. was a Caswell County, N.C., native, born on March 9, 1951 to the late Robert Earl McCann and Margaret Denkins McCann. A graduate of Bartlett Yancey High School and North Carolina State University, he worked briefly after college for Texasgulf, Inc.
But Earl was best known for three decades of plying the rivers and sounds of coastal North Carolina as a commercial fisherman. He invested heart and soul in crabbing and fishing from the very beginning – even learning to build his own boat from the masters on Harkers Island.
He left his captain’s chair only when the illness that took his life demanded it.
From his piano playing and oil paintings to his warmth and wry wit, Earl was an uncommon man with a common touch.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Markham McCann; daughter Margaret Leigh (Megan) McCann of Willow Spring, N.C.; son Robert Earl (Chip) McCann, III, daughter-in-law Amber Simmons McCann, and grandson Cayden Patrick McCann of Swan Quarter, N.C.; daughter Jessi Adrienne McCann, of Bath, N.C.; sister Vickie McCann Brinkley and Jack Brinkley of Eden, N.C.; in-laws Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Markham of Blanch, N.C.; sister-in-law Robin Markham Slade, Steve Slade, Logan Slade, and Stephanie Slade of Caswell County, N.C.; his best friend, John Myers of Manteo, N.C.; and his beloved dog, Bandit.
Friends are welcome to celebrate Earl McCann’s life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at his son’s home at 18269 Hwy. 264-E in Swan Quarter, N.C.
Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.
Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. Nags Head was entrusted with arrangements.
Paid Obituary