John R. McGann

John McGann was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Thomas and Mary (née Ryan) McGann.[1] His twin sister, who took the name Sr. John Raymond McGann joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Brentwood, Long Island, becoming general superior of the congregation in 1978. A second sibling, Sr. Thomas Joseph, also joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph.[2]

He received his early education at the parochial school of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, graduating in 1938.[3] He then began his studies for the priesthood at Cathedral College in Brooklyn, and afterwards attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington from 1944 to 1950.[4]

On June 3, 1950, McGann was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy.[5] His first assignment was as a curate at St. Anne's Church in Brentwood, where he served for seven years.[1] He also served as an assistant chaplain at Pilgrim State Hospital and a professor at St. Joseph's Academy, both in Brentwood (1950–54).[4]

In 1957, McGann was named assistant personal secretary to Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg and assistant chancellor of the newly erected Diocese of Rockville Centre.[3] He became personal secretary to Bishop Kellenberg in 1959, and was named a papal chamberlain by Pope John XXIII that same year.[1] In addition to his pastoral work at St. Agnes Cathedral, he was made vice-chancellor of the diocese in 1967 and served as secretary of the diocesan board of consultors.[3]

On November 12, 1970, McGann was appointed auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre and titular bishop of Morosbisdus by Pope Paul VI.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on January 7, 1971 from Bishop Kellenberg, with Bishops Vincent John Baldwin and Charles Richard Mulrooney serving as co-consecrators.[5] In 1976, he was appointed bishop of the diocese. He was elected treasurer of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1984.[4]

After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, McGann resigned as Bishop of Rockville Centre on January 4, 2000.[5] He was succeeded by Bishop James T. McHugh, who had served as his coadjutor bishop since 1999.[5] McGann died at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, at age 77.[4]

The Radiology & Imaging Center at Mercy Medical Center is named for Bishop McGann,[6] as is Bishop McGann-Mercy High School.[7] Bishop John R. McGann Village is a senior low income housing apartment subsidized by HUD. The Knights of Columbus Bishop John R. McGann Council #564 is located in Bay Shore.