John Francis Canavan, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, died on July 25, 2024 after battling cancer for the past year. John lived a long and full life and was comfortable and at peace when he passed.
John (Jack) was born and raised in Queens, New York October 31, 1935. He was the second of four sons born to Margaret and Thomas Canavan. His brothers are Thomas (Bud), Gerard (Red) and Lawrence (Larry). He grew up in Woodhaven loving sports, especially basketball, and building boats. He ran track at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, from which he graduated in 1953.
In 1954, he and brother Bud enlisted in United States Army for two years. After basic training at Ft. Dix (NJ), they were stationed in Panama. While there, they both took flying lessons, with John ultimately purchasing a small (very small) two seater prop airplane.
In 1959, John married Winifred McAvoy. They settled in Ozone Park, Queens and later Freeport, New York. Together they had four children: Cathleen (1960), John Jr. (1962), Patrick (1963) and James (1966). John took courses in aeronautical engineering from the College of Aeronautics, and later attended night school at Hofstra University, graduating with a degree in applied physics.
After landing a job with Sperry Rand in 1963, and moving to San Diego for two years, John began work with the Department of Defense, in a role that would define his career over the next 40 plus years. He retired in 1995. He was a member of the Phoenix Society.
In 1976, John met Dorothy Schneider, (D.Ann) while working for the DoD. They were married in August of 1981 in California. They spent 43 years together sharing their love of golf, travel, boating and most of all their second home at Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland. It's at Deep Creek where John's ashes will be laid to rest.
John’s life was defined by his personality: he was smart, ethical, driven, diligent, critical and witty. He led a long and full life marked by passion, logic and analytical sensibility. He loved a good “discussion.” He brought these qualities to all facets of his life, including his 40+ years working in the service of his country for the DOD and in the defense sector. Whether flying while stationed in Panama, teaching his children to ski on the slopes of Lake Tahoe, boating on the Chesapeake Bay, studying astrophysics for “fun” in his spare time or simply spending time exploring with D.Ann, John approached life thoughtfully, articulately, determinedly, and with humor. It is these attributes that will define his memory.
