Jeremiah H. Cannon

Jeremiah Holland (Jerry) Cannon, 84, of East Greenwich passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, August 3 following an illness. He was predeceased in 2010 by his wife of 54 years Joan (Payne) Cannon. He was a communicant and member of the choir of St. Gregory the Great parish in Warwick.Born in Providence, Jerry was the son of the late Major General Peter Leo Cannon, former Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Rhode Island National Guard, and Mary Elizabeth (Holland) Cannon. He was the grandson of Peter C. Cannon, United States Attorney for Rhode Island from 1920-1921. Jerry was a resident of Providence until 1977 when the family moved to East Greenwich.He was a graduate of LaSalle Academy and enlisted in the Rhode Island National Guard in 1949. He entered Providence College in 1949, but was called to active duty with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY before returning to Rhode Island. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Providence College in 1955. He also attended Boston College Law School.Following college, Jerry attended Officer Candidate School and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Rhode Island Army National Guard. He was assigned as the public information officer for the Rhode Island Army National Guard until 1957 when he left full-time employment with the Guard. He received an honorable discharge as a 1st Lieutenant in 1964.In 1957, he was hired as the public relations director for the City of Providence Plan Commission. Jerry went on to serve on the executive staff of Providence Mayors Walter H. Reynolds and Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. While serving under Mayor Doorley, Jerry was named project coordinator for the former Westminster Street pedestrian mall. He was elected as a delegate to the 1964 Rhode Island Constitutional Convention.He joined the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in 1965 and remained with the Chamber until being named President of the former Rhode Island Credit Bureau in 1976. He retired as credit bureau president in 1995.Jerry served as a coach and on the board of the Elmwood Little League for many years and was active in the Boy Scouts.He was a longtime member of the Providence Rotary Club serving as Executive Administrator and was a three-time recipient of the Paul Harris award. He was also a third generation president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Jerry was a former member of the University Glee Club. Other memberships included the Providence Jaycees, the former Turks Head Club and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and the former Credit Executives of Southeastern New England.He an avid golfer and did make a hole in one!Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He taught several how to fish, shared his love of model railroading, attended their sporting events and took special interest in explaining American history to his eldest granddaughter.He is survived by his three sons, Jeremiah H., Jr. "Jay" of Wakefield, Thomas P. of Porter Ranch, CA and Peter L. Cannon, II of East Greenwich and his two daughters, Suzanne M. Cannon of East Greenwich and Sheila K. M. Bowden of Narragansett as well as daughters-in-law Mariana G. Cannon, Linda Lee, Ellen K. Cannon and Janice D. Cannon, and his son-in-law Jeffrey M. Bowden. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Kevin H. Cannon and Kristen E. Zack and her husband Brad, Connery L. and Victoria M. Cannon, Maximus L., Liana L. and Bliss L. Cannon and Sean J. and Caroline J. Bowden. In addition, Jerry is survived by his dear cousin, John F. Burns and his wife Barbara, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was the brother of the late Peter L. Cannon, Jr. and Mary E. Cannon. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.HIs funeral will be held Saturday, August 13 at 8:00 AM from Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centreville Road (Route 117), Warwick followed by a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM at St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Road, Warwick. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Calling hours are Friday, August 12 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main Street, Natick, MA 01760 or Providence Rotary Charities Foundation, 27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904.