Father Hilarion Cann served the Catholic priesthood for more than 60 years as he touched countless lives and worked to make the world a better place. Cann passed away Monday at the age of 90 due to heart complications, according to family members. Born Dec. 27, 1928, Cann was the eldest of James and Antoinette (Oliverio) Cann’s five children.

He received his early education in the Catholic school in Clarksburg. He attended high school and college seminary in Baltimore, graduated from St. Charles Seminary in 1947 and from St. Mary’s Seminary with a B.A. in Philosophy in 1949. From 1949 to 1956, he continued his studies in Rome and was ordained there on Feb. 28, 1953. He graduated from the Gregorian University with an S.T.L. (M.A.) in Theology in 1953. In 1956, he earned his doctorate in Canon Law from the Lateran University.