Charles P. McCann

Charles Paul (Chuck) McCann of Arden Hills, passed away on December 28, 2022 at the age of 90. 

He was born July 23, 1932 in Superior, Wisconsin and grew up there. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, starting at an early age as he bicycled and hitch-hiked across northern Wisconsin to visit his father in a tuberculosis sanitarium. He was fourth oldest of six siblings, all of whom he loved very much. 

At 17, Chuck left Superior to become a house painter in Saint Paul. While an apprentice, he lived in a boarding house on Grand Avenue where he met the love of his life, Caroline "Terry" Marquardt. One year later, they married, a union that spanned almost 70 years and produced four children, Lynn, Sandy, Jack and Jim; 13 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

An entrepreneur by nature, Chuck started his own painting company, first with partner Jack Harris, then Charlie Schletty, and then on his own. He became one of the largest commercial painting contractors in Minnesota. Chuck and Terry started developing office buildings under their business Update Company, which is now the family business. He often said that he wasn’t good with numbers – until you put dollar signs in front of them. Chuck treasured the many friends he made in the painting and construction businesses, many lasting four and five decades.

Chuck and Terry loved to entertain friends and family at their lake cabin in northern Wisconsin. They had many friends on the lake and enjoyed countless Mai Tai parties, Dump Queen coronations, boat parades, campfire sing-alongs, and late-night pontoon rides.

Chuck liked John Wayne movies, meeting new people, a good shotgun, a stiff drink, a trusty chainsaw, Buick automobiles, tall white pines, bald eagles, sketching and drawing, pontoon boats, English Leather aftershave, and tolerant bankers.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, David and Florence; his brothers, David and Michael (Marge); and sisters, Harriet (Jerry) and Mary (Robert). 

He is survived by loving wife, Caroline; brother, Dan (Betty Jo); children, Lynn (Jack), Sandy (Alex), Jack (Connie) and Jim (Amy); 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Josephine and Mary Kaye, many nephews and nieces. 

Memorial service 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Roseville, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Road B. Visitation at the funeral home from 10-11 AM Tuesday.Following the service, 

Chuck’s family invites you to a luncheon and time of storytelling from 12-5 PM at the Urban Growler, 2325 Endicott St., St. Paul.

Private interment Roselawn Cemetery.