Jerrold “Jerry” Ronald Cann passed away peacefully at his home in Weems on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, surrounded by his family and his beloved dachshunds; Archie, Monty, Owen and Finn.
He is survived by his soulmate and wife, Roanna (nee Camden); his son, Justin Cann (Lori); grandchildren Ida, Chloe, and Julian; sister, Anne Wolski (Gene); brother, Howard Cann (Jeanne); mother-in-law, Betty Jo Camden; sister-in-law, Christa Heron (Dale); brother-in-law, Chip Camden; nieces Rachael Romero (David), Karen Holechek (Tim) and Cathy Webb (Bill); and numerous other nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Ted Cann; and his parents, Howard Elmer Cann and Virginia Alice Swann Cann Stinehart.
Jerry was born in Baltimore on July 26, 1946, and raised on the Chesapeake Bay, learning to sail at an early age. His mother’s family (Swann) were watermen in the Northern Neck. He learned the value of subsistence living on oystering, fishing, crabbing, hunting and farming through them. Jerry graduated Class of 1963 from St. Paul’s School for Boys in Baltimore at the age of 16.
As a young man, Jerry worked for Pete’s Cycle in Baltimore and managed branches in Bel Air and Severna Park. He was an avid sailor, cruising and racing on the Chesapeake Bay. Later, he became a member of Severn Sailing Association and a charter member of Eastport Yacht Club. He was a Seven Seas Sailing Association Commodore and held a Master Captain’s license.
He had a successful career with Crusader Yacht Sales in Annapolis as vice president and specialized in blue-water cruising sailboats, working closely with Bob Perry on the design of the Saga 43. After leaving Crusader, he followed his life-long dream of sailing the Caribbean. He and Roanna sailed for two years on their CS 36 sloop California Promises from Annapolis to Venezuela. When they returned to Annapolis, Jerry started Cann Yachts, a premier dealer for Saga Yachts.
Jerry loved traveling, cooking and writing. He and Roanna traveled to Scotland more than 12 times. Jerry enjoyed researching his ancestors and loved Scotland’s beautiful scenery, whisky, food, friendly people and history. Jerry’s passion for cooking was obvious to all that knew him as he would often treat family and friends to gourmet extravaganzas. He especially loved teaching his niece Rachael his techniques and recipes, which she embraced at an early age and now shares with her family and friends.
“Where it all ends, I can’t fathom my friends, if I knew I might toss out my anchor. The sea’s in my veins my tradition remains, son of a son of a sailor.”
