Leroy McCant, Jr. was born on January 19, 1935, in Glassboro, New Jersey, to the late Annie Johnson and Leroy “Levy” McCant. He was the seventh of eight children. With the exception of his sister Marie McCant, of Glassboro, NJ, his other siblings: Verna Bailey, Dorothy Hailey, Mildred Russell, Micky McCant, Gladys Robinson, and James McCant, have all preceded him in death.
Leroy was educated in the Glassboro school system and graduated from Glassboro High School in 1953. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from January 1958 to January 1960. He was awarded medals for Good Conduct and Rifle Marksmanship. He was also in the Army Reserve for six (6) years. Leroy met the love of his life and married Yvonne Cundiff; from this union, they had three children: Myra, Steve (deceased), and Eric (“Ricky”). He later married Joanne McCant who preceded him in death.
In 1962, Leroy became the first Black Special Officer for the Glassboro Police Department. He was promoted to Public Relations Officer in 1967 and supervisor in 1973. He demonstrated great courage in having to overcome discrimination during this time period. His determination and tenacity were unfailing. Leroy achieved the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant before retiring in December 1988, after serving 27 years. Many in the Glassboro community loved and respected him; he was a protector and a true hero, and the African American community was particularly proud of him. Leroy was known for his high degree of integrity and he made people feel relevant when they spoke with him.
Leroy’s membership and activities included: Glassboro Police Reserve, Glassboro Police Reserve Advisor, Board of Trustees of Together, Inc., PASA, Representative for the Glassboro Police Department, President of Glassboro Midget Football (for more than 20 years), Manager of Glassboro Little League Baseball Team (called the A’s, for eight years), Glassboro Awareness Association; he was a Notary Public for the State of New Jersey, and he was a former member of St. Mark UAME Methodist Church. He received special awards from Glassboro Little League, Glassboro Midget Football, and the Pitman Glassboro Jaycee Life Saving Award. He had a strong interest in working with our youth and adults, to promote individual growth, self-confidence, and personal goals.
After his wife Joanne’s death, Leroy relocated from Glassboro to Egg Harbor Township and lived with his son Rick, and daughter-in-law, Audrey, where he was lovingly cared for during the last four (4) years of his life. Leroy had begun attending the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was happy to be learning about Jehovah God. Each Sunday, he enjoyed hearing their discourses and listening to the Watchtower magazine study. He would rarely miss a meeting. Jehovah God’s blessings were upon Leroy and his family, as is evidenced by the love and support shown by so many. But the one thing Leroy was most fond of was his children: Myra, Steve, and Ricky. His children meant the world to him. Nothing else mattered, except his beautiful grands that he felt blessed to have.
Leroy leaves to cherish his memory: his two children, Myra Jackson of Sicklerville, NJ; and Eric L. McCant (Audrey) of Egg Harbor Township, NJ. He is survived by his ex-wife, Yvonne McCant; 13 grandchildren: Jamie Jackson, Ashley Battle, Chantel Jeter (Dontay), Shauron McElwee, Tariq Lively, Taquira Lively, Toshoka Butler, Eric McCant Jr., Taelyn Lively, and Daija McCant; four (4) step-grandchildren Noah Barger, Austin Barger, Johnathan Williams, and Ashley Williams; (12) great-grandchildren: Tatyana Ferrer, Tayla Ferrer, Orlando “Manny” Ferrer III, Destinee Grantham, Taliyah Marie Lively, Danay Jeter, Tyriq DeSean Lively Jr., Zen McElwee, Brooke McElwee, Dontay Jeter Jr., Queen Lively-Wallance, and Qrown Lively-Wallace; and two (2) step-great-grandchildren: Edward “Teddy” Williams and Aiden Williams; one (1) great-great-grandchild: Rafael Ferrer, and a host of other family members and very dear friends. Leroy will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and again on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. A Life Celebration will be held on Wednesday at 12:00 PM. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hurffville. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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