Richard Warren” Rich” Canan, Sr. 95, of Antioch, WV, passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center, Cumberland, MD.
Born on August 31, 1920 at a farm in Canan Settlement near Thomas, WV, he was a son of the late Walter and Retta (Slaubaugh) Canan. He is the last surviving member of his siblings which include Beulah Paugh, Effie Turek, Hester Knotts, Chester Canan, Martha Ludwig, Sylvia Canan, Willis Canan, Martin Canan, Glenda Canan, Dorothy Kight, Delmar Canan, and AnnaLee Mullenax. He also was preceded in death by his eldest son, Richard Canan, Jr. and a grandson, Ronald Ferguson.
Richard attended Thomas High School until he left in his sophomore year to go work in CCC camps with his brother, Martin. Civilian Conservation Corps was a public works project, part of the New Deal, intended to promote environmental conservation and to build good citizens through vigorous, disciplined outdoor labor. For 17 months, Richard sent $25 out of the $30 he was paid each month home to assist his family. He then returned back to Thomas High School to graduate in 1941.
In the midst of World War II, Richard enlisted in the US Navy on July 4, 1942. He served his country in numerous locations on over eight different naval vessels, learning a variety of technological skills to benefit a country at war. After 20 years of service in the Navy, Richard was honorably discharged with the rank of ET-1 and then worked for the National Security Agency for 13 years before being offered early retirement in 1975.
Richard married Lorna Mullenax on February 19, 1949 in Baltimore, MD. Richard and his family moved around a great deal during his enlistment in the Navy. Some places include Norfolk, VA, San Diego, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and Imperial Beach, CA. They resided in Laurel, MD during his NSA employment. Once retired, Richard moved his family back to his home state of West Virginia. They lived for one year in Horseshoe Run and in Aurora for over five years. They eventually settled in Antioch in 1980. While in Antioch, Richard spent his days cultivating their vegetable gardens and establishing his small orchard of fruit trees. He also tended to his side of the mountain by clearing brush from his land and cutting firewood to prepare for the coming winter. He could often be found listening to the local radio stations to hear Keyser High School and West Virginia University athletic events. He could be relied upon to give reports on the Keyser High School Band activities.
Richard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lorna; three sons; Bob and his wife Jennie of La Vale, MD, Ron and his wife Madelon of Laurel, MD, Ralph of Antioch, his daughter, Nikki Hull and her husband Phillip of Moncks Corner, SC. Surviving grandchildren are Richard Canan III, Sarah Werhstedt, Ruth Canan, Wayne Canan, Angela Bailey, and Joseph Cross. Surviving great-grandchildren are Amanda Hull, Ryan Hull, Hanna Canan-Turkette, Holly Ferguson, Jacob Bailey, Steven Ferguson, Rayne Canan, Andrew Canan, Michael Mulligan, Thomas Werhstedt, Peyton Cook, Tyler Cook, Emmy Cook, and Cali Cross. Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews also survive Richard.
