Frank was an honorable man, businessman, father, husband, and a pillar of his community.
Frank H. Cann, Jr., 58, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family by his side on August 10, 2023. He was raised and educated in Methuen, MA and graduated from Methuen High School in 1983 as the Class Honor Essayist. Those who knew him described him as intelligent, funny, competitive, persistent, selfless, empathetic, compassionate, and above all, loving.
In 1999, Frank founded F.H. Cann & Associates, Inc., also known as FHC. Frank, his wife, Sheri Cann, and their close family members were the company’s first employees. He had an entrepreneurial spirit that turned his company into a widely respected and prosperous family business.
Throughout his career, Frank received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his entrepreneurial spirit, vision, innovation, determination, and persistence.
Under Frank’s leadership, FHC received many recognitions such as:
He would also serve as the Chair of Collection Agency Caucus for National Council of Higher Education Resources. No matter how big FHC grew, Frank always insisted on sending every employee an apple pie at the end of the year, even if it meant mailings around the country.
Frank’s generosity, sincerity, and caring spirit led him to be an active member of his community. He served on the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of The Movement Family (TMF) of Lawrence, MA. Frank showed compassion towards those struggling with poverty by also providing regular food and resource donations to the Lazarus House Ministries. He was a Board Member of the Exchange Club of Lawrence and the Andovers. In order to ensure local youth in underserved communities were empowered, Frank established and organized FHC’s annual donation of a $1,000 college scholarship to deserving students of Lawrence High School at the Exchange Club of Lawrence and the Andovers scholarship ceremonies.
Exchange Club of Lawrence and the Andovers Scholarships
Frank was also proud to be a sponsor of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation where his support was able to help local youth. He received the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater, Methuen High School, as a Distinguished Alumni. Frank was recognized as the Exchange Club Exchangite of the Year, as well as received the Book of Golden Deeds Award for his dedication and contributions to his local community.
Frank’s efforts in the community led to the passing of the first ever in the nation Pulmonary Hypertension law and creation of the Pulmonary Hypertension Task Force. He went on to serve on that task force together with medical and research experts to report on research, services, and support for patients across Massachusetts. Frank also went on to accept an invitation to join the Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Board of Trustees.
Pulmonary Hypertension Association – Keynote Speaker
The people in his life shared positive messages about how Frank influenced them, including:
Frank’s children have always shared his passions. As Frank was an incredible mentor who believed in hard work, he taught his children every aspect of the business from his experience and knowledge. The family enjoyed growing the business together. Frank was a businessman well known for believing in hard work, attention to detail, integrity, and compassion. Frank would tell us all, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” FHC is committed to continuing to operate under the values and framework set forth by Frank. His legacy will live on strongly at FHC, and we thank him for paving the way for us.
