Obituary of Christopher Mark McCann

Christopher Mark McCann, 43, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020, at his home in Toronto. Though he was physically distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was surrounded by love and support from close friends including Stephen Vogan, Kerri Morgan, Catherine Ferguson and Rev. Jeff Rock. Chris will be lovingly missed by his sister, Erin Khattar; nephew Hamza and nieces Amanah, Khadija and Minah; uncle Philip and aunts Bobbie Vanstone and Lynda Barondes; cousins Howard Vanstone and Julie Vanstone Prentice; and partner (separated) John David Ward and mother-in-law Vicki Ward. Chris was born on August 30, 1976, in Toronto to Mary Carole McCann (née Morris) and lived most of his life in London, Sutton, Toronto and Oakville, Ontario. From his first summer job selling ice cream on a Dickie Dee bike to working at the gas station to pay for his first car, Chris never wanted to stay still. He graduated with a certificate in food and beverage management and spent many years in the hospitality industry, before earning his Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation and working in human resources for several organizations. Chris was passionate, ambitious and driven, and he never rested on his success; he was always reaching for the next thing. Chris had a zest for life and adventure. He travelled to six continents, diving the Great Barrier Reef, hiking the Inca Trail, exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, zip-lining with eagles in Alaska, going on safari in South Africa and touring the museums of London, Paris and Florence. He loved to run and joined multiple races including Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge in Walt Disney World in 2015. He enjoyed cycling and was preparing for his second Friends for Life Bike Rally, riding from Toronto to Montreal in support of people living with HIV/AIDS. And he loved to be out on the water, whether power-boating on Georgian Bay or canoeing in Killarney Provincial Park. Chris made friends everywhere he went, and he had the confidence to talk to anybody and fit in with any situation. He was funny, charming, silly and charismatic. He loved to tease and make people laugh; he loved to dance and have fun. Growing up, Chris just became a part of the family for many people in Sutton. He later found another new family in Toronto, and then another in Burlington and Oakville. He cherished spending time with friends, and he was kind, caring and generous with those who needed his help. He will be deeply missed by many. Chris was laid to rest at Briar Hill Cemetery in Sutton with his beloved mother, Mary, who passed away in 1993. Once the Declaration of Emergency has been lifted by the Government of Ontario, a Celebration of Life will be held for all of Chris's friends and family.