John C "MAC" McCandless 57, of Hilton Head Island, SC formerly of Pittsburgh, PA died 4 July 2011. John was born in Anchorage, Alaska on 10 June 1954. He was raised in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School and attended Robert Morris University. He served his country for 26 years in the US Army and Army Reserves before retiring several years ago as a Chief Warrant Officer Four. While in the military he served in both Germany and Iraq. John also retired after 22 years from the Department of the Army in a civilian capacity from the 99th Regional Support Command as a maintenance supervisor. John was preceded in death by both parents Park and Lily McCandless and brother David McCandless. He is survived by beloved wife and best friend Laura Holland McCandless. Additionally, survived by his loving sister Anne Bender and brother-in-law Bill Bender of Hilton Head Island and nine nieces and nephews. John loved his wife, a cold beer, a good cup of coffee, tinkering in the garage or yard, as well as following the Penguins, and walking his beloved dog Kelly in the park with dear friends and neighbors. John's great outlook in life is best summed up by his favorite quote, "Don't wait by and by for your pie in the sky. Get it now with a cherry on top." The family will receive friends at ISLAND FUNERAL HOME, 4 Cardinal Road, Hilton Head Island, Thursday, 7 July from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a brief memorial service at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 8, at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hilton Head Humane Society or The American Cancer Society . Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 7, 2011 obit