Kevin McCann's Memorial Rail Trail Bench

On February 21, 2023, my family lost a husband, father, Grampa, role model, and friend. My dad, Kevin McCann, was a wonderful man. His selflessness was undeniable, yet so humbly discreet.

My family would like to thank everyone who has reached out, shown up, and kept us going this last month. It’s been extremely difficult for us as we grapple with this loss of life. We are comforted by your stories, your shared memories, and your kindness during this time of grief.

If you knew my dad, you knew nature was a huge part of his life. He would regularly be out walking trails, hiking, sitting by the fire, or having a neighborhood walk. This passion for nature has been modeled our entire lives with him, and we appreciated every minute of it.

In honor of his legacy, we are placing a memorial bench in his name on the Central Massachusetts Rail Trail in West Boylston. This was the spot of our last family New Year’s Walk. He struggled and persevered to get to a distance marker that morning. His breathing was labored, but he powered through to his goal of 1/4 of a mile out. He thought it was going to say “1/4 mile,” but was so proud and surprised when he realized it said 1/2 mile.

That hike is engrained in my memory; the four grandkids, my parents, Harrison and Jenna, and Zach and I, all walking, enjoying the scenery, talking about upcoming goals, watching the kids stomp in puddles of the melting snow. My dad showed up that day determined to make it a good walk. And he sure as heck did.

We hope that’s the spot the bench may be placed; that 1/2 mile mark my dad was so proud to have reached in what is now, his last New Year's Hike. So we, too, can rest and reflect there where he once stood.

The funds will be donated to Wachusett Greenways, to build and perpetually maintain the bench. It also allows for funds to be distributed to further the Rail Trail connections, specifically from Holden to Rutland, something my dad would have been happy is going on.

If we surpass the goal, we plan on placing an additional bench at the Charnock Cut, in Rutland. This is where my dad and I first walked with Maeve, where he walked to have some peace in his day, and where a year’s past New Year's Hike took place. Our hearts are broken, but we look forward to our places of peace, to sit with my dad at the Rail Trail once again.

If you'd like to directly donate to Wachusett Greenways, PO Box 121, Holden, MA 01520, please make sure you include: Memorial gift for Kevin McCann so proceeds may go directly to the funding of the bench.

We encourage you to reach out to your employers to match these donations.

Thank you for reading this, and for your donation towards the memorial benches.