×

James Henry McCann IV

James Henry McCann IV passed away on Friday, June 4th, 2021 at Southern NH Regional Medical Center in Nashua where he was born almost exactly 24 years earlier on June 5th, 1997. He lived in Nashua for 3 years before his family moved to Hollis where he attended the Hollis schools and graduated from Hollis-Brookline High School in 2015. He graduated from UNH in 2019 with a BS degree majoring in Accounting.

He played youth soccer and baseball in Hollis for many years and played varsity baseball in high school where he was a pitcher and outfielder. Many of his fondest memories and close friendships originated on these playing fields and in high school where he was part of a large group of wonderful friends. They have spoken in recent days of his tremendous impact on them with his sense of humor, support and kindness. His kindness was also on full display when he interacted with animals, whether his family’s dogs, pig, fish or chickens or the numerous animals he rescued in the yard from impending peril.

James was extremely intelligent, curious and creative and applied these talents to all sorts of projects including gardening, woodworking, outboard engine restoration, boatbuilding and machine design. His many projects included a beautiful wood cabinet of his own design with inlaid panels and drawers, an intricate custom 3 bed dog kennel cabinet as a Christmas gift and a 14 foot fishing skiff completely from scratch. His talents were always on display in whatever he chose to do.

James loved being near any body of water whether it was building sandcastles on Cape Cod, catching stripers from the town dock or fishing the many “secret” freshwater spots around southern NH. He had many fond memories of boating trips with his family around Florida, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Costa Rica. He was rarely without a fishing rod or mask and fins on these trips and made numerous scuba dives with his uncle Roberto and cousin JJ.

In addition to his parents, James and Lisa McCann, sister Madeleine of Hollis, NH, and his dearest and closest cousin, John Joseph (JJ) Distasio of Bedford, NH, he is survived by his grandmothers, Madeleine Garland of Hollis, NH and Jean McCann of Meriden, CT, his numerous aunts and uncles, Roberto and Madeleine Quintana, Bruce and Denise Blodgett and Juan Miguel Aguilo, all of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Additionally, Stephen and Lorrie McCann of Naples, FL, Hal and Nancy Records of Port St Lucie, FL and Wickford, RI and Carol McCann of Meriden, CT. He is also survived by numerous cousins and their children. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, Dr. Juan M. Aguilo Zambrana and James Henry McCann II.

The family wishes to thank the members of the Hollis Fire & Rescue and Police departments, in particular Sandy and Lucas, and the nurses, doctors and staff at Southern NH hospital for their courageous efforts and comfort. James’ parents would also like to especially thank Rev Ethelbert Orabuche for his kind words, blessings and support that morning in our most darkest of times. We would also like to extend our extreme gratitude to Eric Rochette and his family and staff at Rochette Funeral Home for their incredible kindness to us and loving care for our son James.

A celebration of James’s Christian funeral mass to bring hope and consolation to all that loved him will be held at the Parish of the Resurrection at 449 Broad Street, Nashua, NH on Thurs, June 10th, 2021 at 11am. All are welcomed to join. Burial will be a private family ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to the Inner Compass Initiative at https://www.theinnercompass.org/page/support-us. To learn more about this initiative go to https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org. To leave an online condolence, story, or message please visit www.ANCTIL-ROCHETTE.com.