By: Lila Galipeau
The Pontiac is the best place to live because of people like Mae. She was always there for people in need, making her a role model for young women in the community who wanted to give back. Mae was so much more to the Pontiac than fries and poutine. She left a legacy of hard work, selflessness and generosity that future generations of local entrepreneurs will look back on in admiration.
A legend was born the day Duck Trudeau asked Ervin McCann if he wanted to buy his chip wagon. Ervin had built a new stand that’s still standing in downtown Quyon today, and had designs on creating a better business there. It was 1969.
The McCann’s took up the challenge working long hours. The stand opened at 11 am and didn’t close until 3 and sometimes even 4 the next morning to serve late night revelers leaving Gavan’s bar after the last call.
Over the years they brought their children into the business, Brian was 14 when his parents bought the chipstand. Mae’s six children made for an instant workforce. Each of the kids took turns working at the stand at one time or another.
The family wasn’t always able to keep up with the growing demand for Mae’s now famous fries and they started to hire employees to help.
Mae is said to have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of her new employees and insisted she wasn’t a strict boss, she just wanted things done right.
Mae could be found working at McCann’s Chips almost every weekend through the spring and summer months. She was always generous with her delicious food, often giving people substantial servings and sometimes even lunch “on the house”. An animal lover, especially her cherished dog, she was known to order roast beef sandwiches for the puppy from a nearby restaurant.
Mae loved Quyon, and Quyon loved her back. Her home was always bustling with friends and neighbours. Mae’s Irish roots, love of music and Catholic faith were some of the most important things in her life next to her family and fries.
Mae hung up her apron in 2011 after 42 years behind the counter.
She will always be remembered as one of the most kind, humble, generous, and caring individuals in her community. She took special interest in supporting fundraisers, sporting events, and families in need in the Quyon area. Mae peacefully passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at the Pontiac Community Hospital in Shawville. She was 85.
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