Chuck taught me in grade seven in t
1980. I just read of his passing, and am saddend by the news. May he RIP. We exchanged a few texts in 2020. I am glad to have made that brief but pleasant reconnection.

Chuck was a lovely person to volunteer with at St. Stephen's United Church. He was always cheerful, calm, dependable, reliable and eager to help. Chuck was a fine man and a real gentleman. He will be really missed. My sincere sympathy to Margaret and children and grandchildren.

A BIG loss to the Canadian football community but a BIGGER loss to a true hard working friend who believed in his players and showed respect to all of the people he met and worked with! i will remember the times we had together and how you enjoyed life!. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and the whole McMann!

I owe a massive gratitude to Coach for seeing in me what others didn’t and worked to bring me to the 1997 Calgary Stampeders. A great mentor and coach of things football and things life. Condolences to the family and thank you to Coach Chuck! Chris Lewis

Coach McMann was highly respected. On behalf of McGill Athletics & Recreation, we offer our most sincere condolences. We have posted the following tribute on the McGill Athletics website:

7/21/2021

OBIT: Former McGill and CFL coach Chuck McMann was 70

MONTREAL – McGill Athletics & Recreation is deeply saddened to announce the passing of alumnus Chuck McMann (BEd '01), who served six years as head coach at the University, where he guided the football team to a pair of Dunsmore Cup conference championships. He was 70.
 
McMann also won multiple Grey Cup rings as both a player and coach in the Canadian Football League. He died on Tuesday (July 20) after collapsing during an uphill bike ride while cycling the islands of Denman and Hornby, near his Qualicum Beach home, on Vancouver Island.

"What a great coach and an even better person," tweeted TVA Sports analyst Charles-Antoine Sinotte, a star wide receiver during the McMann era at McGill. "Saw something in me that I didn't even know I had. Changed my football career and my life."
 
Born Charles Wilson McMann on May 11, 1951 in Toronto, McMann went on to attend Humberside Collegiate Institute before a hall of fame varsity football career with Wilfrid Laurier University from 1973 to 1976. Decades later, he earned a degree in education while coaching at McGill. A third-round draft pick of the Montreal Alouettes in 1976, he played 10 seasons in the CFL at receiver and running back with the Alouettes and Concordes from 1976 to 1985. He also played in three Grey Cups, winning the 1977 game.

McMann was head coach at the University of Waterloo from 1988 to 1991, then moved on to coach in the CFL, followed by his stint as head coach and offensive coordinator at McGill from 2001 to 2006. He merited the Frank Tindall Trophy as Canadian university football coach of the year in 2002.

A resident of Dorval, Que., during his time at McGill, McMann became the team's 18th head coach in 2001, taking over from long-time bench boss Charlie Baillie. McMann guided McGill to five playoff appearances in six years, including consecutive Dunsmore Cup league championships in each of his first two seasons.

In 2002, his troops posted a stellar 7-1 record in the Quebec conference, the first time that the team had finished atop the standings since 1981. After a 44-0 semifinal win over Bishop's and a 10-6 conquest over Concordia, he led McGill to an appearance in the 2002 Churchill Bowl national semifinal, a loss to Saskatchewan at Percival Molson Stadium. Over his six seasons at McGill, he posted a 28-28 record overall, including a 24-24 mark in regular season play.

"I am where I am today as a result of his guidance and trust," wrote Greg Hetherington, a receiver who had the opportunity to play for McMann, initially at McGill, then later in the CFL with both Calgary and the Lions. "I'd never met someone who was so committed and so humble... He valued many things but (put) work ethic, trust and honesty above all else."

During McMann's tenure at McGill, he produced 24 league all-stars, 11 All-Canadians and five players who went on to pro careers in the CFL. Forty-four of his players also earned Academic All-Canadian honours.

Prior to joining McGill, McMann spent nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Stampeders, where he coached in four Grey Cups games, winning championship rings in 1992 and 1998. After leaving McGill, he returned to the CFL coaching ranks, serving as an assistant with both Calgary and the B.C. Lions, where he won additional Grey Cup rings with the Stampeders (2008) and Lions (2011). He retired after the 2015 CFL season and moved from Langley, B.C., to Vancouver Island.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a donation to any of his favourite charities, including St. Stephen's United Church in Qualicum Beach, B.C., Hockey Ministries International, the North Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, the Parksville Salvation Army Food Bank or the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Kristin (Jan), sons Jeffrey (Denly) and Jonathan (Heidi), in addition to eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in the Allsbrook Room at Yates Memorial Services on Friday, July 30 at 2 p.m.  


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
 

We shared early child rearing years in Montreal. Such a blessing! You were like family! Our geographic locations have changed, but not our fond and loving thoughts of you!

We knew Chuck as a quiet humble Godly man with a kind heart. Margaret and family you have our deep sympathy in your shocking sudden loss.  Know that our family is holding you up in prayer.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💐💐💐

A simple tribute to a man who as been a mentor to me for 5 years. Thank you coach.

OBITUARY

Charles Wilson McMann

11 May, 1951 – 20 July, 2021

Yates Memorial Services

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