Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 19, 1970.
‘Doc’ McCann Closes Office
Dr. Jesse McCann, a man who has eased the foot troubles of local citizens for 49 years and still found time to make a large contribution to local softball and basketball activities, closed his office doors at 51 Franklin for the last time today.
The 76-year-old entrepreneur of boys and girls semi-pro softball, a sports activity which he managed in Valparaiso for 40 years, said today he has been easing off his practice of podiatry each year until “my wife talked me into callin it a day.”
A graduate of the former Chicago-Illinois College of Podiatry, Dr. McCann has been a resident of Valparaiso since 1921, when he came here from Park Ridge, Ill., to take a position as a buyer of shoes at Lowenstine’s and conduct the podiatry practice in his home.
Before moving to his present location, he had a ground floor office north of Lincolnway for 20 years.
His interest in softball stemmed from the great pitching of his son, Bryce, now of Goshen, with the old Valpo Kernels. When Tom Sargent gave up management of the team 40 years ago, “Doc”, as he was familiarly called by all in the realm of softball, took over. After many successful years managing the male athletes, McCann organized the Queens, a girls’ softball team which attained country-wide acclaim for 18 years until it disbanded in 1964.
On the basketball scene, Doc is credited with organizing the city league and also thrilled the local populace by bringing the Harlem GlobeTrotters here for many entertainment presentations.
After many miles of walking up and down the base paths coaching and managing the Kernels and Queens, Doc still had the stamina to walk up and down the aisles of the First Methodist Church of 38 years as head usher.
In addition to Bryce of Goshen, who was a pitching star for the South Bend Studebaker and Bandix softball teams, the McCanns have a daughter, mrs. Vivian Small, Valparaiso, and Clyde, Kansas City. A son, Vern, is deceased.
Doc and his wife, Vera (Merrill) reside at MR 1. They have no definite future plans except to rest and relax.
After 49 years of taking care of other people’s feet, Doc McCann has certainly earned a rest for his own tired “tootsies.”
