David McCahan Jr., 85, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 27, 2015.
He is survived by his loving wife of more than 61 years, Nancy Finkbiner McCahan; his children David III (Narnie) McCahan of Amarillo, Texas, Rebekah McCahan of Havertown, Penn.; and Timothy (Liza) McCahan of Providence, R.I.; and seven grandchildren whom he adored: Colby McCahan, Christine, Sarah, and Samantha Fickling, Alexandra, Jamie, and Olivia McCahan.
McCahan was born on Feb. 15, 1930. He was the son of the late Dr. David McCahan Sr. and Rebekah Morse McCahan. He is also survived by siblings Dr. John McCahan of Lexington, Mass., and Elizabeth Swan of Manhattan, Mont., and predeceased by Patricia Porter.
He was a graduate of Swarthmore High School in Pennsylvania in 1948 and served on the Swarthmore Volunteer Fire and Protective Association. He also served as the local Santa Claus and he continued to wake children on Christmas Eve when he later moved to Rhode Island.
He went on to graduate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1952. He was a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity. He started his career as a Life Insurance Agent with Northwestern Mutual in Philadelphia and quickly became a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant.
In 1962, McCahan was appointed the General Agent in Providence, R.I. where he continued for more than 28 years developing and helping agents build their careers. He was previously an active member and President of Rhode Island Society of Financial Service Professionals and the Rhode Island Life Underwriters Association. After retiring, he was a Governor-appointed member of the State Ethics Commission.
McCahan was a longstanding member of Rhode Island Country Club, a past member of the University Club and Turkshead Club. He was quite active in various charitable endeavors, particularly the United Way of Southeastern New England where he served in a multitude of leadership roles including President. He was an active and one of the original founding members of the Barrington Presbyterian Church.
McCahan was blessed with wonderful friends. He was his wife’s soulmate, a fabulous father and grandfather to all.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at St John’s Episcopal Church, 191 County Road, Barrington, RI. The burial will be private and take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinsons.org or the Barrington Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
