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Patrick Joseph McCann
September 30, 1920 - February 24, 2013
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<div itemprop="description"> <p> Patrick Joseph McCann </p> <p> Pat slipped away peacefully on Sunday February 24th, 2013 at the age of 92.&nbsp; He was born in Toronto on September 30th, 1920 the only son of Mabel and Michael &ldquo;Joe&rdquo; McCann.&nbsp; A bright and personable young man, he went to work at the Toronto Transit Commission in 1938 as a junior clerk.&nbsp; He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in May 1940 at the age of 20.&nbsp; He flew Spitfire missions out of Wales for the next two years until he was discharged in April 1943.&nbsp; When he returned to Toronto, Pat worked for the TTC again in their payroll department until he decided to take the Canadian Government up on their offer of free university tuition and living expenses for war veterans.&nbsp; He graduated in 1949 with his engineering degree from Queen&rsquo;s University with the intention of returning to the TTC and participating in the building of the first rapid transit system in Canada. Over the next 31 years, Pat and his colleagues at the TTC built the subway from north to south, east to west, connecting the city as never before.&nbsp; It was a wonderful and challenging feat that filled his days with purpose and inspired him to gain his MBA from the University of Toronto at night school in 1959.&nbsp; Pat&rsquo;s great skill was his sharp mind and his ability to put those around him at ease.&nbsp; A natural leader he was quiet and purposeful, never boastful of his work yet constantly excited by the opportunities he was given.&nbsp; After retiring from the TTC in 1980 as the General Manager of Engineering and Construction, Pat took rapid transit consulting positions with several firms building in Vancouver and Washington.&nbsp; Pat married Joan Spencer in 1952 and the two spent sixty happy years raising three children, five grandchildren, several dogs and a beloved family cottage on Lake Muskoka.&nbsp; Pat leaves his wife Joan, his daughter Leslie, son Warren (Maryann) and daughter Carrie (Eric) and grandchildren Brendan, Faith, Tara, Declan and Riley.&nbsp; Pat will be remembered most fondly for his sense of humour, his patented stories and his gentle devotion to his family.&nbsp; He was wonderfully cared for at Sunnybrook Hospital&rsquo;s Veterans Wing during the last few weeks of his life and for this we are deeply grateful.&nbsp; A private family service will be held.&nbsp; In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Veteran&rsquo;s Comfort Fund at 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, M4N 3M5 would be appreciated.&nbsp; </p> </div>