MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — William J. McCann III, the second-generation owner of Connecticut-based Best Cleaners, died here on Dec. 15. He was 78.
A Navy veteran who joined Best Cleaners in 1966, McCann worked alongside his parents, William Jr. and Esther, and his brother Tim to modernize the company’s operations.
Under McCann’s leadership, Best Cleaners developed same-day service, brought onsite tailoring to all the company’s stores, and expanded to 13 locations across central Connecticut. He also introduced barcode tracking and automation systems while maintaining the company’s family-oriented culture.
McCann acquired full ownership of Best Cleaners in 1997 and later hired his son Shawn as company president while growing the workforce to more than 100 employees.
In 2001, McCann made Best Cleaners the first chain in the United States to adopt GreenEarth Cleaning, an environmentally friendly drycleaning method. This initiative earned the company the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Green Circle Award.
McCann was a founding member and active board member of Management Concepts, a national industry cost group. He also served on the board of the North East Fabricare Association (NEFA).
“Bill’s voice was always a steadying current in dealing with the Connecticut Legislature, especially with the CT Clean-Up Fund,” says NEFA President Peter Blake.
McCann’s community involvement included founding the annual Coats for Connecticut program, which provided cleaning and distribution of donated winter coats to those in need. He also instituted free cleaning services for military uniforms and American flags.
An avid outdoorsman, McCann served on the boards of Valley Shore Waterfowlers and Ducks Unlimited, and volunteered as an inspector for the Marion to Bermuda yacht race.
Born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and raised in East Hampton and Middletown, Connecticut, McCann is survived by his wife, Susan; three children, Kelly Leighton, Jill Collins, and Shawn McCann; his sister, Margaret Wilcox; brothers Patrick McCann and Charlie McCann; and eight grandchildren.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].
