It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of their beloved, Al Cannon, in the Grace General Hospital on the evening of Friday, October 18, 2019 at the age of 82 years.

 

Al is survived by his loving wife Joyce. His children, special daughter Sally (Mike), special son Rod (Karie), (their mother Denise),  Tanya, Kerri (Wes) and Lori (Duane) his grandchildren, Kody, Amanda & Scott; sister Evelyn Drury and brother Robert Cannon (Carol).  He was predeceased by his parents, David & Elizabeth Cannon, sisters, Mary, Lillian, brother Wilf, as well as daughter Audrey!

 

Al was the youngest of six children raised in Stonewall, Mb. When he was nine years of age, the family moved to Winnipeg where he attended Mulvey School and later Tech Voc. In his adult years he owned and operated Empire Dray & Express, Cannon's Western Store as well as snow removal & landscaping businesses.

 

He was a lifetime member of American Quarter Horse Association as well as Manitoba Cutting Horse Association. Al served on many other horse related boards and organizations in his lifetime. He was an integral part of the horse community in Manitoba. One of his proudest moments was a title presented to him by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip naming him "Honorary Queen's Cowboy"!

 

Always larger than life and so loving and kind, he liked nothing more than to entertain folks with many stories and endless jokes. He was so good at it making people laugh due to his incredible sense of humour!  He was a great lover of all animals, particularly his kitty "Willy" (who keeps looking for his daddy), and of course horses and dogs were a huge part of his life! He loved travelling and one of his favorite places to visit was Las Vegas where he and Joyce traveled many times over many years! He loved his RV'ing, having owned eight motor-homes, and spent many happy & peaceful times visiting old and new friends. Of course, he never missed a visit to a casino or two!

 

Al never actually "retired" and always said he never would, and he was right about that! His kind heart and love of children led him to become a Shriner. He was an incredibly proud member of the Khartum Temple of the Shrine with his brother Bob. He was always willing to participate and helped raise many tens of thousands of dollars for children in need of medical treatment. The two of them belonged to the Khartum Drum & Bugle Corps. where he had so many happy times and trips with his brothers!

 

Al lived a very happy life enjoying his family, running his business and having fun, because that was his very nature... He was an easy-going man's man (although he did love the women too)! He had so many meaningful friends over the years, far too many to name here.

 

In this past year he has so enjoyed living in a new condo, making many new friends. He loved attending all the parties in the party room and watching the hockey game watching with Bill & Lynda and many others.  He also really enjoyed playing VLT’s, visiting the Assiniboine Downs, most weeks at least once. Joyce and family would like to thank Diane, our friend who works at “The Downs” for all the special attention she gave to Al over the years!

 

He enjoyed movies at Grant Park every Saturday when possible. That said, if he didn't like the movie Al would put his recliner seat as far back as it would go and take a nap... He usually snored loudly, causing great embarrassment of his wife!

 

Joyce and family would also like to thank their special friend John Myers for always being there for Al over many years and doing so much legal work on his behalf. Also, a special thanks to Shirley Declerq for spoiling him with so many weekly goodies! Also, to Bill Kubik, for being such a good friend this past year.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions in Al’s memory to any animal shelter or a charity of choice.

 

A celebration of Al's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road. For those unable to attend the service, a video recording of the program will be posted here, on this page, shortly after the service.

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The family encourages the sharing of stories, memories and condolences by using the comment section on this tribute page.

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A special thank you to Shane Neufeld of Ethical Death Care, our long-time friend, for all your help with the cremation and celebration arrangements .. Al would have been so impressed!

 

From Joyce, “My sweet and loving husband, Al, you are so missed by me and as I keep looking for you in your room... I will miss giving you your morning breakfast pats on your head!!! “

 

Rest easy Al, ‘til we meet again!

You are so loved!

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Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.

Love leaves a memory no one can steal!!

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The family encourages the sharing of stories, memories and condolences by using the comment section on this tribute page.

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Ethical Death Care

is entrusted with the planning and management of Al's celebration of life. Please call 204-421-5501 with any inquires related to the arrangements.