John Vincent Cannon III

Jack Cannon was born in Houston, Texas on May 24th 1945, and spent most of his childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Union College, where he was a leader both on and off the football field, and then attended the Florida State University College of Law. He moved to Sarasota to join the Williams, Parker Law Firm in 1972.

It is tempting, particularly when someone has been as successful in their career as Jack was, to describe their professional accomplishments and accolades as if that success was the measure of the man. It is seldom a complete picture, but that is especially true with Jack. He was, of course, a brilliant lawyer—a zealous advocate, an insightful counselor and tactician, a tough negotiator, and a loyal and trustworthy partner. He was also an extraordinary mentor to generations of lawyers at Williams, Parker, from which he retired in 2014. While all of these things are accurate, Jack’s true singularity in the world, and where he made his most indelible mark, was in the scope and scale of his generosity, his capacity for joy, his boundless hospitality, and his love for his community, his friends, and—above all—his family.

Jack’s life was defined by his generosity. He shared everything he had, wanted the very best for everyone he knew, and knew no limits on what he would do for others. Many local organizations benefited from his natural proclivity for giving, particularly the American Cancer Society, where he was a long time volunteer, donor, and many-time committee member for the long-running and popular Cattle Baron’s Ball. His joy and his laughter were infectious. Jack was an endless font of jokes (some decidedly “not suitable for work,” which were invariably presaged with what he thought was the inoculating phrase, “Brenda told me this joke”). His advice and counsel were priceless. Jack was a reliable and thoughtful teacher, mentor, father, and brother to all. His guidance translated naturally to coaching, and he was a well-respected and successful Babe Ruth baseball coach in Sarasota’s legendary program. He was a shoulder to cry on (and, notably, a person to cry with—Jack was the softie to end all softies), and an ever-available friend. He had the rarest of all abilities—genuinely putting himself in someone else’s shoes. This made his guidance the best of all things—informed by his experience but tailored to your own. Jack’s hospitality was legendary. He and Brenda defined the maxim “all are welcome” as their home was a gathering place for family, friends, colleagues, and the larger community. Ask any Sarasota police officer or fire fighter where the best gathering spot was on the hardest “first responder” holidays and it is likely that they found their way to the Cannon’s for barbecue and a swim. Similarly, generations of Sarasota High School and community league football and baseball players knew they always had a home at the Cannon’s, for an hour, a day, a week, or a year.

It is impossible to talk about Jack, and the Cannons, without resorting to hyperbole—but even hyperbole fails when trying to describe who Jack was to his family. No man has ever felt luckier than Jack as Brenda’s husband. He lived in awe of the fact that she had agreed to marry him. How much he loved, respected, admired, and just plain had fun with Brenda defies description, but you knew it when you saw it—a true love match. Jack’s children were the center of his world. He never stopped talking about them and was the kind of father that every child dreams of and deserves: loving, reliable, strong, kind, trustworthy, protective—and completely committed to doing whatever was needed to help them reach their potential. They say that parents should not be their children’s friends, but as in so many things, Jack was the exception to the rule— the best dad and the best friend.

Jack will be missed by his wife, Brenda, his son, Matt, daughter in law, Kim, grandsons Connor and Cooper, his brothers Frank and Bar, and scores of friends. Sarasota is a beautiful place, but it and the world are all the more beautiful for being where Jack Cannon lived. He leaves a lasting legacy of love, joy, and generosity.

Jack’s family is deeply grateful for the love and support they have received from the many people whose lives he touched. In accordance with his wishes, the family will celebrate his life privately. Jack never wanted a large or formal service and honoring that request is important to those who loved him most. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Jack’s memory to consider making a donation to the Sarasota High School football program at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-sarasota-football-invest-in-our-sailors