Michael R. McCanna

Michael Roy McCanna, age 78 of Appleton, WI died on December 11, 2024 after a difficult two-year journey with cancer, once cured, only to return. He died at home with his wife Kathleen and daughter Alysse by his side.

He was born on February 9, 1946, the son of Dr. Philip Roy and Lois (DeLeers) McCanna, and was the oldest of ten children. He spent his early years in Marinette and moved to Appleton in 1960 when his father began his ophthalmology practice there. Michael attended Xavier High School, where he was taught by the Christian Brothers and was in the first graduating class. Impressed by that education, he joined the Christian Brothers Monastery from 1964-1967 in Winona, Minnesota. He went on to attend UW-Madison, earning his undergraduate degree in 1970. Michael’s dream was to teach philosophy wearing a tweed blazer with leather elbow patches and smoking a pipe, until he realized philosophers made no money and instead went into law. He received his Juris Doctor from UW-Madison in 1974.

He moved back to Appleton to begin his law practice. He worked as an attorney for over 30 years and was known as “The Silver Fox” in the courtroom. He was beloved by his partners and employees, and was admired for his generosity, Friday morning donuts, the warm office environment he created, and his duck ties.

Michael built a home in Appleton for his family in 1990 where they’ve lived since. He also owned a cabin on Washington Island where he and Kathleen spent much of their time admiring the waves of Lake Michigan, reading, listening to his music, playing Scrabble, and enjoying island life. He loved hosting his brothers on the island for many Boys’ Weekends. Michael and his family loved traveling to new places and had memorable vacations in Paris, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Scotland, St. Maarten and other Caribbean islands and on tropical cruises. He dreamed of opening “Big Mike’s Indoor/Outdoor Feeding Parlor” on Captiva Island and created the perfect menu. He had many much-loved dogs and cats over the years and was known for walking his dogs Kibble and Bits around the neighborhood without a leash, for which he was reprimanded twice by the Grand Chute Police. His family believes he’ll be reunited with all his pets in the afterlife.

Michael was a music aficionado with an eclectic taste, a trait he shared with all his brothers. He especially loved Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison, the Bill Evans Trio, Brubeck and Desmond, Bryan Ferry, the Delta Blues, and everything Motown. He was a voracious reader of fiction and known for his love of John Le Carré’s espionage novels, and enjoyed spending a morning watching black and white movies. Michael wrote poetry throughout his life and penned many songs for his daughter when she was young, including his famous “Booger Song.” His favorite meals were a rare steak and a cold beer, and pasta with red wine. He was skilled in the kitchen, especially in Italian cuisine, and earned the nickname “Lasagna Man” in college.  Most notably, Michael was wildly generous with his love and attention. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. His final words to them were ‘not to worry.’

Michael is survived by his wife of forty years, Kathleen (Heidi) Vander Hyden McCanna; daughter, Dr. Alysse Kathleen McCanna; and son-in-law, Mukund Gopalakrishnan, whom he loved as a son.  He is survived by nine siblings: his brothers, Philip, Peter (Mary K), Kevin, Roy (Rose), and Terry, and sisters, Mary Anne, Maggie, Patricia, and Katie (Joe); his sisters-in-law, Mary Leonard and Kari; and by his wife’s sisters, Shirley, Jan (Jerry), and Gloria. He is also survived by many loved McCanna and Vander Hyden nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his Grandma and Grandpa McCanna of Burlington, Wisconsin; Nana and Baba DeLeers of Marinette, Wisconsin; his father, Dr. Philip Roy McCanna, his mother, Lois DeLeers McCanna; his brothers-in-law, Tom Vander Hyden, Richard Trudell, and Jerome Wray; and his beloved nephews, David McCanna and Riley McCanna.

His family expresses their greatest gratitude to ThedaCare Cancer Center and Hospice, especially Angie and the other nurses who made his final days as peaceful as possible. If you wish to remember Michael, please donate to your favorite charity in his name. There will be a gathering held in his memory for his family and friends in late spring. Wichmann Funeral Home may be contacted to convey condolences.