MCPO Harrison’s Obituary Harrison Neal McCann, often called “Mac,” age 93, died on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at home. The US Navy veteran served in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. He traveled to all 7 continents and all 50 states during his 43 years in the Navy before retiring to Dillsburg, PA, where he opened and dabbled in an antiques & flea market business.
He was a regular at Bricker’s Auction, George Haar’s Auctions, and Doug & Vicky Hardy’s Auction. His distinctive Navy ball cap earned him the nicknames of “Kennedy” and “Captain” at local auctions; others called him “wood box man”. His parents were Jett D. McCann and Zelma Marguerite Harrison McCann.
Born in 1926 in Farber, Missouri, Harrison was raised on a farm just outside Hardin, Missouri. In 1944 upon turning 18, Harrison joined the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii, Guam, the Marianas and Solomon Islands during WW II. When peace was declared, he returned to Hardin to marry Opal Lee Mayden.
Accompanied by her, Harrison rejoined the US Navy and together they moved 24 times during his long Navy career. He was stationed in Olathe, Kansas; Alameda and Coronado, California; Atsugi, Japan; Seattle, Washington; Bainbridge, Maryland; several assignments in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Davisville, Rhode Island; McMurdo Station, Antarctica; Jacksonville, Florida; Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. During his naval career he served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Yorktown, USS Es, USS Independence, USS Forrestal, and USS John F. Kennedy.
Harrison’s family traveled with him to all these bases including three years in Japan. When his son, Jett McCann enlisted in the Navy, they made US Navy history as the first ever father-son team stationed in Antarctica. Everywhere Harrison was stationed he made a point of seeing all the local attractions and learning as much of the area’s history, geography, and culture.
These travels also took him and his family to every state in the USA and parts of Canada and Mexico. He enjoyed sharing tales of his adventures with his family and friends. In Antarctica, he volunteered to assist scientists by lugging their equipment on their field explorations and visited other bases on that continent including the South Pole.
From ports in Italy and Spain, he traveled through much of Europe including a visit behind the “iron curtain” to Yugoslavia. In Italy, he was touring the papal summer palace and was given a rare private audience with the pope. He met and made friends all over the globe.
With his sons, both Eagle Scouts, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America everywhere he was stationed. He was awarded the BSA’s Silver Beaver Award. In later years, Harrison volunteered to help train other adults with his son Dale, a Boy Scout Executive.
Harrison is survived by his wife of 72 years, Opal McCann, his brothers David McCann of Raytown, Missouri and Gerald McCann of Jamesport, Missouri. His three children are Linda Wrenn of Baltimore, Maryland; CAPT Jett C. McCann USN (Ret. ) of Fairfax, Virginia and his wife Linda Flavin; and Dale H.N. McCann of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.
He has two grandsons, T. Russell Wrenn and his wife Erin Fitzpatrick; and, Alex Harrison Wrenn of Baltimore, Maryland. Three great grandchildren T. Ronan Wrenn, Cormac McCann Wrenn, and Cavan Wrenn, also of Baltimore. A memorial service and internment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place later this year.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of veteran’s organizations.
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