Lewis Albert “Lew” McGann, 78, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026.  He was a 1966 graduate of South Bend John Adams High School.

Lew was born to Mary Olive Tovey (Central 1939) and Louis Jay McGann (Central). Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to serving others, first through his work as a funeral director and paramedic, and later through teaching, leadership, and countless acts of service to his community. Although retired, Lew never truly stopped giving his time, knowledge, and energy to the people and organizations he cared about.

Lew was a true pioneer in emergency medical services. He served as President of the McGann Ambulance Division and spearheaded the movement to advance the Michiana community from traditional ambulance services to modern Paramedic Services. He brought together the Emergency Department Medical Directors of Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital, along with the South Bend Fire Department, to help make that vision a reality. McGann Ambulance Division became the first private licensed provider of Paramedic Service in the State of Indiana, with license number ONE.

Lew was also a passionate educator. For many years, he taught Emergency Medical Technicians at Ivy Tech in South Bend, training hundreds of men and women who went on to serve their own communities and save lives. His greatest impact was not necessarily in the lives he personally saved, but in the many people he trained and inspired to save others. In that way, Lew’s influence reached far beyond the people he knew personally.

Lew’s dedication to Camp Eberhart began when he was just seven years old. What started as a childhood experience became a lifelong commitment. He continued through the ranks as a camper, counselor, staff member, and eventually Chairman of both the Camp Board and the Y Metro Board.

Among his many contributions to the business and future of Camp Eberhart was his extraordinary work protecting the camp’s nonprofit tax-exempt status. When the St. Joseph County Treasurer and the State of Michigan taxing authorities sought to eliminate the camp’s exemption because it was owned by an out-of-state entity, Lew used his knowledge, persistence, and political expertise to secure the camp’s tax-exempt status. His efforts saved Camp Eberhart hundreds of thousands of dollars, year after year.

Lew was the elected 4th District Councilman for South Bend. He was the elected President of the South Bend City Council for 8 years. He built programs, fought for organizations he believed in, mentored generations of emergency medical professionals, and left communities stronger than he found them.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lew will be remembered for his personality, his determination, his stories, his loyalty, and his willingness to keep fighting for the things and people he loved.

Lew shared the last six years of his life with his beloved girlfriend, Joanne, with whom he lived and built a life filled with companionship, love, and memories.

Lew is survived by his sons, Lewis McGann of Three Rivers; Ryan McGann (Michelle) of Three Rivers; his daughter, Missy McGann (Cheryl) of Three Rivers; his brothers, Mike McGann and Pat McGann; his beloved bonus daughters, Cortney Smith of Three Rivers, Stefanie Graber of Switzerland, and Jayme Jo of Naples, Fl; and his cherished cat, Tini. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he cherished, and they loved him deeply.

Lew’s life was measured not only by the years he lived, but by the lives he touched, the people he taught, and the organizations and communities he helped preserve and strengthen. His legacy lives on through every person he trained, every life saved because of that training, and every person who continues the work he cared so deeply about.

We Love You Dad

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Cassopolis, Michigan.   Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McGann Hay University Chapel, 2313 Edison Road, South Bend. An additional visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the Mass, at St. Ann Catholic Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lew's memory to Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.mcgannhay.com 

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