Thomas Paul McCann

McC ann, Thomas Paul June 11, 1933 May 11, 2009. Today, a gentle giant went home to meet his maker. His was a life of great passion, remarkable dedication and loyalty, and plain good fun. Thomas Paul McCann was born June 11, 1933, the second son of Florian and Virginia McCann, of the family ranch east of Culbertson, Montana. Tom attended grade school in Culbertson and then headed off to the St. Thomas Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he graduated in 1950. He was very proud of his years there and made many lifelong friendships. Tom joined the Air Force after graduation and was stationed in Wichita, Kansas, where he met and married Sharon Louise Quigley. She had one sister, and he had one brother; they decided, before they were married on August 8, 1955, that they would have eight children. After his discharge, they returned to Montana, set up a home on the historic Diamond Ranch on the Missouri River, adjoining the homeplace where his parents lived, and had nine children-just for good measure! She always said he was the handsomest man she ever saw, and they were a beautiful couple. Tom worked on the ranch raising wheat, alfalfa and registered Polled Hereford bulls for breeding, throughout his years in Montana. He also worked as a salesman-the last of the red hot entrepreneurs, he used to like to say-to raise and support his family. Sinatra's ""That's Life"" was his theme song, and he experienced every bit of ""up and down and over and out"" throughout his years, in the end without regretting any of those experiences and relishing every single one-proud of always picking himself up and getting back in the race. In 1974, Tom and Sharon moved their family to Colorado where Tom continued work as a salesman until his retirement. He was a big sports fan and always rooted for whichever team was playing against the Broncos-just to show his independence, and perhaps a little obstreperousness. He was immensely proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his final illness, he would remove his oxygen in order that it not interfere with his efforts to regale, with full Irish bravado, all doctors, nurses and passers by with the achievements, plans and aspirations of the grandchildren, so excited was he as their life's plans begin to unfold. Tom has been enjoying life in his own unique, full style until very recently when he received his diagnosis of lung cancer. Realizing the seriousness and the prognosis, he looked back on his life and reassured his children, telling them that, whether he had twenty minutes or twenty years left on this earth, they would finally find him at peace with a smile on his face because he had had a good life and was grateful for the opportunity to have enjoyed it to the fullest. He had the chance to raise a great family, meet a lot of great people, eat good food, hear some great jazz, and see a lot of pretty places-but none prettier than the Diamond Ranch full of white faced red cattle after a spring rain to bring up the new green grass with a rich blue Montana sky above. Tom was a Roman Catholic and a Democrat-proud of both affiliations and willing and eager to explain at length, and with passionate oratory, whenever he felt either one was in error. He took part in the most recent presidential caucuses in Colorado. Over their lives thus far, his children have been forced to acknowledge-sometimes with greater enthusiasm than others-how very often he was demonstrably and inescapably correct as history has unfolded. Tom was predeceased by his parents, one nephew and Sharon Quigley McCann. He is survived by his children: Teresa McCann O'Connor with her husband William of Billings, Montana, and children Brendan, Shannon and Quinlan; Timothy Quigley McCann with his wife Deborah of Parker, Colorado, and children Marissa and husband Fermin, Sean and wife Darcie; Tamara McCann Thies with her husband Greg of McLean, Virgina, and children Gregory, Aidan and Breccan; Thomas Paul McCann II with his wife Trisha of Parker, Colorado, and children Lisa, Dyanna, Michael, Hunter, Thomas Paul III and Rylie; Sharon McCann Nelson with her husband Dale of St. Charles, Missouri, and children Meagan, David, Christopher, Kayla and Dale, Jr.; Patrick Theodore McCann of Denver, Colorado, and children Ashleigh and Patrick Theodore II; Siobhan Maureen McCann of Centennial, Colorado, and children Rachael, Robert, Ryan and Vincent; Michael Anthony McCann of Denver, Colorado and daughter Caitlin; and Florian Bernard McCann II with his wife Dawn of Lakewood, Colorado, and children Peyton, Florian Bernard III, Macson and Logan. He is also survived by six great grandchildren, his brother, James A. McCann of Tucson, Arizona, two nephews, one niece and three cousins. The mass of Christian burial will be said for Tom at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 15, at the Catholic Church of the Risen Christ in Denver. He will be buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Horan & McConaty funeral home is in charge of arrangements. Welcome home, faithful servant. He has fought the good fight. May he rest in peace.