John was born October 2, 1937 and was raised in Salt Lake City by Italian immigrants, Gene Canepari and Margret Bianco, who ran an Italian specialty food store famous for their handmade Italian sausages.
In his early years John took up the violin and had a natural affinity and love for the instrument. He studied at Juilliard School in New York City and toured across the country performing with various symphonies. After graduating from Granite High School, he found the next love of his life in Sharon Thorn. They were married in May 1958. John was a natural leader and entrepreneur and used his experience from his family’s food store to run several restaurants until he found his true calling as a Physiotherapist in 1990. John worked in his healthcare clinic until October of 2018, at which time health issues forced him to retire. During his years of working in his clinic he helped thousands to stand a little taller, have a better, healthier quality of life, and leave his office with a spring in their step.
John served as a Bishop for 5 years and gave tirelessly of his time and talents to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was his conversion to the church in his 30’s that renewed his passion for playing his violin, as one of his first Sundays as a new member he was invited to perform. He performed regularly at private and public settings and had his two sons, Sheldon and Joseph often play with him as well. They performed for many church leaders and John performed twice for the Concert Series on Temple Square.
John loved cars and rarely passed an older vehicle without proclaiming to those around him the make, model, and year. One of the hardest decisions he ever made was to sell his 1972 red T-top Corvette so he could buy a Winnebago for the family. While they loved the Winnebago at the time, secretly his children still wished to have the Corvette.
John was a natural sportsman and enjoyed golfing and playing tennis.
He leaves his loving wife of 61 years, Sharon (Thorn) Canepari; Children, Lance, Michelle (Rich), Sheldon (Kelli), Joseph (Kacey), Christopher (Ginny), as well as his sister Jeannie Tarbell and 21 Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Gene and Margaret, his daughter-in-law Jean, and his granddaughter Rimini.
The family wishes to thank Natalie, Kaitlin, Caralee, and Daniela, from Inspiration Hospice, who lovingly served and supported John and Sharon during the final months of John’s Life.
A viewing will be held Friday, March 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 30th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., with the funeral to follow at 1:30 p.m. Both the viewing and the funeral will be held at the LDS Chapel, located at 755 E Three Fountains Circle, Murray, Utah 84107. Following the funeral, John will then be interned at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
