Francisco Canonico

Born in Havana, Cuba on July 25, 1931, Mr. Canonico was the son of a seamstress and a merchant from Italy. When he wasn’t in school or working odd jobs to help his single mom put food on the table for him and his older brother, he’d be found playing baseball or listening to ballgames on the radio. In the 1950s, as a young man, he emigrated from Cuba. Initially, he worked on a cousin’s farm in Tampa, Florida, but soon discovered that a farmhand’s life was not for him. He asked relatives, “How far is New York and how do I get there?”

Mr. Canonico eventually answered this question, arriving in New York City with dreams of freedom, adventure and prosperity. On February 1, 1955, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training in Fort Dix, N.J. His years of service provided opportunities he could have only dreamed of as a child, from experiencing the snow-capped mountains of Colorado to the busy streets of Tokyo. Notably, he was deployed to support the peacekeeping efforts in post-conflict Korea. He profoundly loved the United States and in 1955 became a naturalized citizen while stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. Mr. Canonico was honorably released from Active Duty as a Specialist Third Class.

For most of his adult life, Mr. Canonico called Hudson County home, having lived in Union City, North Bergen and Secaucus. As an ambitious entrepreneur, he pursued different businesses, including running a grocery store and residential painting company, but ultimately found success and fulfillment in real estate. In the early 1970s, he opened Canonico, Inc. Real Estate on Summit Avenue in Union City. This launched his illustrious career that would span more than 50 years. He passionately helped countless clients — many recent immigrants from Latin America — purchase homes and businesses to pursue their own dreams. Mr. Canonico served these families for multiple generations and many clients became lifelong friends. His generosity and dedication to his community was widely known, as was his tendency to lift up his neighborhood by lovingly referring to it as, “Downtown Summit Avenue.” Mr. Canonico served as President of the Hudson County Multiple Listing and President of the Hudson County Board of Realtors. He and fellow Realtors played softball together and organized holiday parties for St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in Jersey City. He rarely missed the annual Realtors Convention in Atlantic City, eagerly taking advantage of a suitable excuse to visit the casinos.

Eventually closing his business, Mr. Canonico continued to work for various real estate agencies until 2022. He enjoyed some of his golden years on the Gulf Coast of Florida, regularly visiting the beach for long walks and sunshine. He loved the N.Y. Yankees and playing the lottery. He was a terrific dancer who could light up the floor at any event. He will be remembered for his fun-loving spirit and contagious energy that defied his age.

Mr. Canonico is predeceased by his parents, Francisco Canonico and Teresa Del Pino, and brother, Orlando Canonico. He is survived by his son, Jose Canonico, his daughter, Teresa Akersten, son-in-law, Eric Akersten, grandchildren, Gavin Peter and Sean Francis, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth Alarcon and her extended family who affectionately called him “Canonico.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

A visitation for Francisco will be held Monday, August 21, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Leber Funeral Home, 2000 Kennedy Blvd, Union City, NJ 07087, followed by a funeral service from 10:45 AM to 11:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leber-fh.com for the Canonico family.