John J. Cannava, Sr., age 91, a longtime resident of Winchester, formerly of Medford, passed away on January 12, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Irene J. (Mercurio) Cannava.
Born, raised and educated in Medford, Mr. Cannava was a graduate of Medford High School with the class of 1945, where he was a three-sport athlete. He was drafted into the Army in 1945 to serve during World War II. Upon discharge, he returned to Medford and worked at his family-owned business, San-O Cleaners, with his brothers. In 1957, they moved the business to Winchester, and operated for many years on Main St. He and his brothers prided themselves on being local guys and their “hands-on” approach to business, and would willingly pick up their customers’ laundry. A social, “people-person”, John forged many friendships throughout his years in business.
In 1956, John was set up on a blind date by a family friend. He met Irene J. Mercurio, who he dated for a year, and who became the love of his life and wife of 61 years. Their children shared that they had graduated two years apart at Medford High School, and Irene had stood at the bus stop outside of the cleaners where he worked, while going to her job for many years, yet they had never met until their blind date.
They lived in Winchester since 1957, and raised their family in the house they built on Squire Road.
In Winchester, in addition to running the family cleaning business, John coached CYO basketball at St. Eulalia’s church, and enjoyed playing tennis with friends at the Packer-Ellis tennis courts on Palmer St., and the indoor courts in poor weather. He played until age 90.
Remembered by his family as the first one to go up to the food and the last one to leave, they were puzzled by how he never gained weight. He would have barely finished his meal, and was already talking about dessert.
A social man, he enjoyed having Limoncello at Felicia’s and some Sambuca in his coffee. John enjoyed meeting with his tennis buddies at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and chatting with the regulars at Market Basket. An adoring “Papa”, he was still driving at age 90, and loved to attend and watch his grandchildren’s sporting events. He never missed the summer pool parties at his son John’s house.
In his downtime, John enjoyed listening and humming along to the “Crooners” (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, Johnny Mathis…) on Sunday mornings – he always had songs in his head and on his lips. He also liked to relax and watch movies from the 40’s, Boston sports - especially the Celtics, and professional tennis.
Mr. Cannava is survived by his children: John Cannava, Jr. and wife Maureen of Woburn, David Cannava of Billerica, Diane Cannava Reynolds and husband Kenneth of Woburn. He as the dear brother of Constance “Connie” Pasqualetto of CA and the late Santos “Sunny” Cannava, Prudence “Prudy” Genova, Salvatore “Sal”, and Anthony “Al” Cannava . He was the devoted “Papa” of Jacqueline and Joseph Reynolds, and is further survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 4-8PM, and again on Friday, Jan. 19 at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester at 10AM. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Winchester Sports Foundation P.O. Box 493, Winchester, MA 01890 www.winchestersportsfoundation.com.