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JONN WHITFIELD CANALE

FUNERAL HOME

Canale Funeral Directors - Memphis

2700 Union Avenue Extended

Memphis, Tennessee

JONN CANALE Obituary

John Whitfield “Whit” Canale, 69, returned to the loving arms of Jesus September 17, 2011. Whit was born in Memphis on December 27, 1941. He graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1960. He attended University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he played football and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. Whit regularly attended the Monastery of St. Clare and considered the nuns to be extended family. The most important things in life to Whit were his faith and his family. He is preceded in death by his father George Anthony III, his mother Augusta, and his brother George Anthony IV. He is survived by his three daughters, Maria (Kris) MacDonald of Memphis, Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Nall of North Carolina, and Whitney (Jason) Gentry of Montgomery, AL, his five grandchildren, John Anthony, Alaina, James, Thomas, and Elise; and his siblings, Mary Arnette (Cole) Michaels of Haymarket, VA, Frank (Scottie) Canale of Union City, TN, Justin Canale, Billy (Margaret) Canale, and Conn Canale, all of Memphis; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 20 from 5-7 p.m., with Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. at Canale Funeral Directors, 2700 Union Ext. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday September 21 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1695 Central Ave. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to the Monastery of St. Clare, 1310 Dellwood Avenue. Canale Funeral Directors (901)452-6400

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Published by The Commercial Appeal on Sep. 20, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for JONN CANALE

16 Entries

September 29, 2011

No one can remember Whit or George without remembering their kindness and friendship . It was a trait that was part of the Canale family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. Have faith they are both with our Lord.
Freeman Mahoney

September 29, 2011

I knew Whit when I was in high school. My memories of Whit are fond. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Whit was always friendly and kind. God bless all of the Canale family.
Carole Young

Judy Sterling

September 26, 2011

I had the pleasure of working with Whit at Ronco Foods for several years. He was a fine and admirable man; always with a smile and a kind word.

September 24, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Whitney, and your entire family on this loss. We know you will miss him deeply.
With sincerity~ Phil and Erle Schuyler

John T. Dwyer, Jr.

September 21, 2011

He was a member of a family who treasured honor, integrity, courage and faith. Compassion and respect naturally came to this man.
A man's man. A true sportsman. All of these descriptions fit him.
I grieve with his family at his passing, but I rejoice knowing exactly where he is right now. 1st draft, first string and starting on the line with St. Michael!
This man was truly a Saint if ever one existed.

Gary

September 20, 2011

Sorry to hear about Whit's passing. He was a friendly person. Didn't he play for the AFL Miami Dolphins and Boston Patriots after college? and the Memphis Gtizzlies WFL team? He was nice to everybody.

Mike Dion

September 20, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Canale Family. May God bless you and hold you close to His Heart during this difficult time.

Robert D. Wade

September 20, 2011

September 20, 2011
On behalf of the Class of 1959 I would like to express our sympathies and sorrow. The "Wiz Kids of CHS made a very large difference in each of our lives. Rest in Peace Whit and George.

Robert Wade, Social Circle, Georgia

Butch Garrett

September 20, 2011

I was a freshman football player at UT when Whit was a senior. He and the Canale boys at UT were very kind to me and I considered them friends. I am sorry to hear of Whit's passing, but I know what kind of person he was.

September 20, 2011

Mary Arnette,Thinking of you and your family with the loss of Whit.Mary Margaret

Ann Marley Collom

September 20, 2011

I'd like to express sympathies from Immaculate Conception Class of 1962 who graduated with Mary Arnette Canale Michaels.
Personally I remember Whit Canale as a member of the powerhouse family of Canale football players and loved to watch he and his brothers win games for Catholic High!!

Marjorie (Bowers) Bess

September 20, 2011

I watched him many times at the Catholic High football games. I went to Sacred Heart, and all us girls tried to go to all the games. God bless his family at this time. Marjorie (Bowers) Bess.

Craig and Kathleen Clark

September 20, 2011

So sorry for your loss.

Lyn Grimmig

September 20, 2011

I am very sorry for your loss. God bless all in John family. May you have the faith that John had, as you try to heal from your loss.

Jim Stalls

September 20, 2011

While in school with Whit what I remember the most was not his size but his kindness. Whit had a heart of gold and was always the "gentleman." At the class reunions I was able to attend Whit always made me feel as if we had been the best of friends. I am sure he will be missed by his family and close friends. The CHS for Boys class of 1960 was the best. Jim Stalls

Joe Cuccia

September 20, 2011

God bless you Whit. I am pride to have known a true gentleman.

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