McGANNON, Edward J.Jr. “Eddie Mac”, 83, of Wheeling WV, died Monday, November 17, 2008 at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown WV. Born in Wheeling WV on November 24, 1924, Ed was the son of the late Edward J. and Geraldine Clifton McGannon. As a teenager, he enjoyed working his summer vacations on a relative’s farm in Cameron, WV. He was a retired police officer with the City of Wheeling, serving for 26 years as a motorcycle policeman and often seen patrolling the streets of Wheeling on his Harley Davidson. Ed also worked for the Security Department of Wheeling College and was head of security for Stone and Thomas in Wheeling. Additionally, he pulled double duty by playing Santa Claus for a number of years at Stone and Thomas. A member of St. Joseph Cathedral, Ed was a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 38 and a member of the Warwood Vets Club. He was a Navy veteran of both WWII and the Korean Conflict. After learning his cousin survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ed enlisted in the Navy the very next day, later surviving the sinking of his destroyer after a kamikaze plane slammed into it during the battle of Okinawa in June of 1945. In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Elias McGannon, his daughter, Kathleen Kas P. Sworden, and his sister, Dolores McGannon. Surviving are two sons, Edward M. McGannon and his wife Catherine of Medina, OH, and Kevin M. McGannon and his wife Susan of North Ogden UT; one grandson, Kevin Michael McGannon of North Ogden UT; two granddaughters, Kelly A. McGannon of Washington D.C., and Amanda L. McGannon of Chicago IL; one brother, William McGannon of Lorain OH; one sister, Patricia Dean of Chesterfield MO. Friends will be received at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff St. Wheeling WV on Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 2-4 pm.
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday November 23, 2008
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Dear Dad,
I miss you so much, I wish I could of spent one more day with you. I know you are around me, I feel you are there at times.
Love your Son
Kevin
Dear Eddie and Kevin,
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a very special person to me. I have alot of special memories with him and Helen that I will always hold close to my heart.
I remember all the times visting him after Helen died and he always told me about his time in the service and always talked about how proud he was of the both of you and the grandchildren.
I will always treasure the moments with him and Helen.
May God Bless you all!
Kelly Patton
Ed and Cathy,
For the short time we have known your beautiful family there have been weddings and now unfortunately a funeral. The loss of your father is sometimes greater then anyone can understand and death is so final. No one is ever prepared to loose the man that has known you, your entire life. Edward McGannon was the man you looked up to and called âÄúdadâÄù, âÄúfatherâÄù, and sometimes mumbled under your breathe or thought some not so nice words.
Your fatherâÄôs greatest contribution to this world is the legacy to keep a âÄúSafe EnvironmentâÄù and we would like to thank the family for all his contributions in âÄúSafetyâÄù and know this is utmost importance in basic survival. Secondly, his other legacies are all the children that are left on this earth that are his direct descendants; their ability to share and enjoy life with friends and family. And we are proud and grateful that he served our nation âÄúAmericaâÄù in some of the hardest wars and conflicts ever.
It is with profound sadness that our dear friends Cathy and Ed and their children suffer this great and premature loss. Do know, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless and Keep Your Family Always
Albert & Edith Flickinger
I knew Mr. McGannon from growing up in East Wheeling on “the hill.” It was always reassuring to see him on his motorcycle as a policeman. I grew up at a time when you knew your neighbors, and he and his wife were really good people. I was buddies with his son, Ed. My condolences to his family.
Mr. McGannon was a man who never failed to fly the flag faithfully and to keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood!
He was feisty, but we loved him.
All the kids would visit him and he would listen to their stories. He never failed to buy Girl Scout cookies from Caitlin Smoas or to give her a quarter or dime at times.
We salute Ed McGannon!
Kelly and Caitlin Reasbeck
So sorry to hear about Eddie’s passing.
Betty Lou and Bill Blatt
Years ago early each morning on my way to work I waived at Ed and Mrs. McGannon while they sat on their porch. One day his wife motioned for me to stop and Ed appeared with a beautiful fresh cut yellow rose from their rose garden. After his wife passed away I continued to waive to Ed while he sat on his porch until I moved and then every so often our paths would cross. He loved to tell stories about being in the Navy and his time on the police force as a motorcycle cop. Ed you were a good and special man. I will miss you.