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BORN
1960
DIED
2015
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John Gannon Obituary
John Gannon, 55, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away from leukemia on July 31, 2015, surrounded by family and friends. John was born February 27, 1960, to Herbert and Sally Gannon in Cleveland, Ohio. John worked at the Tempe Public Library for over 31 years, where his dedication to public service was unequalled, benefitting all its citizens, especially students, with his computer expertise and eagerness to help, the elderly, handling the homebound service, and children, his hugely popular story times made him a favorite of all the children and their parents. John also worked with hundreds of library volunteers and arranged dozens of ceremonial events over the years. John was a hero. He never saw a wrong that he didn't feel the need to address; he stood up for others who couldn't or wouldn't do so for themselves, even at his own risk. He was a leader in the fight to provide domestic partner benefits for the City of Tempe, making Tempe one of the very first cities in the country to provide such benefits. His passion for movies, books, and travel was infectious; he shared his enthusiasm with everyone and won over all who met him with his beautiful smile and kindness. John always put everyone's needs ahead of his own; he had boundless love for his coworkers, his friends, his family, and his life partner, Robert Lashua. It was impossible to know John and not to love him. As his older brother David so eloquently wrote of his brother John, "He will be remembered as a man who chose to sow seeds of compassion and understanding, acceptance and diversity, openness and inclusion, patience and kindness, generosity and hope, humility and truth, and warmth and love. May the seeds he has sown grow to maturity in others whom his life touched, and may they continue to sow as he has sown until the earth is covered in the harvest of the crop he so longed to reap." John is survived by his life partner of 25 years, Robert Lashua, his mother, Sally Gannon, his two sisters, Barbara Zachary (Al), Mary Osborne, his three brothers, David, Patrick and Michael, and several nephews and nieces. At John's request, there will be no memorial service. Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the Arizona Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (3877 N 7th St. Ste. 300, Phoenix, AZ 85014-5062) or a cancer charity of their choice. Please send tributes and condolences to www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Gannon
August 29, 2015
Bereaved loved ones can be assured that your loved one is asleep in death with the prospect of being awakened.
Gregory Arthur
August 27, 2015
John was an amazing person. We met, volunteering to read names at the AIDS quilt display back in the early 80's. He was always one of the most kind, caring, giving people I had ever known. The loss of John, is a loss to mankind. My heart goes out to Robert and to John's family. May we all live and learn, and hopefully some of us, be like John, in all the amazing was he was as a human..
August 26, 2015
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Dave. May fond memories of him comfort your heart; and God help you endure this time of sorrow. Isa. 41:13
August 26, 2015
Dave, my sincere condolences on the loss of your brother, who sounds like a wonderful man. Dee Wirkiowski
Kellie D'Amico-Ruppe
August 25, 2015
My condolences to the whole family. I remember John from when we were little kids. He was my best friend! Heaven has gained an angel!
Jeannine Soucie
August 17, 2015
My heartfelt sympathies to you, Robert, and to John's dear friends and family members. During the 8 years I worked with John at the library, I saw first hand his commitment to library customers and his fellow co-workers. John's friendships with Lee, Linda, Millie and many others ran deep, and his desire to help people always came first. I learned so much working with John and Linda, and we shared many good laughs and stories. Even though I work in another library now, to this day, I try to hold myself to the standard in which John cared for every person who walked in the door or who crossed his path. His is a kind and loving legacy.
August 14, 2015
Robert,
I'm so sad for you about John. Even though I was really just getting to know him, he seemed like a sweet soul. What a shame. You are in my thoughts.
Cara Moss
August 14, 2015
John will always remind me to step back, look at the beauty around me, thank God for my friends, family and community, but most importantly to savor every moment. Everything in life happens for a purpose: John's message to me is to live brave, be kind and loving, to trust, and above all have a deep seeded loyalty for the ones in your life. Robert, you were blessed to share your life with John especially for 25 years.
Margreet, Gerard, & Milly from France join the movie group, May 2014
August 13, 2015
Sharon Constant
August 13, 2015
Dear Robert,
My hear goes out to you in your grief of losing your lifelong partner. Twenty-five years is never long enough, although twenty-five years of love and laughter will give you wonderful memories to last a lifetime. John spared you the sorrow of ending your life together on your anniversary by giving both of you the 12th of August as a day of joy. He was unselfish to his last breath. What a loss to all who knew him and to those who had yet to meet him.
My deepest sympathy and love,
Sharon Constant
Carla & John
August 12, 2015
May flights of angels sing you to your rest....
We celebrate the beautiful and loving 25 years that John and Bob had together. Thank you for being the amazing man in my cousin's life!
Brad Rex
August 10, 2015
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Gannon family in the loss of John. This great man helped me get started on email at the Tempe Public Library. Rest in Peace John. You will be missed....
August 10, 2015
A life so shared for 25 wonderful years. In just 12 short days my life has been forever changed. Today, in contemplative steps I stumble in journey toward the transition of the new life before me without the man I have loved and shared my life with for so many years. I seek desperately not to be angry for the death of John and equally my loss. I try to understand the why of it all, why such a wonderful human being who gave so selflessly to so many his entire life yet with so few wants or needs for himself. At only 55, so young, why was he chosen? I regret that we will never enjoy the retirement together that we so long planned for. I regret that for 12 days John body was to be so compromised by its many co-morbidites, all raping his body of the very breath he breathed. Yet, I was privileged to be with him to the end of life.... how very fortunate I was. I reflect on the loved ones of those once victim to 911, Columbine, Sand Hook and the like ... they never granted or graced with the opportunity to express their love or say a goodbye to those they too so loved. I was granted that opportunity and they NOT. Life must go on and so must I. August 12th would have been our 25th Anniversary. It is the past 25 years of memories which must sustain me today and forever more. Robert A. Lashua, a life companion of John W. Gannon.
Brad Rex
August 10, 2015
My deepest sympathy goes out to Robert and to the entire Gannon Family, during there time of loss of my friend John Gannon. I first met John at the Tempe Public Library, where he, and his counterpart, Linda, helped me get started on my email account. It was a true privilege to have met John. RIP my friend. Brad Rex, Phoenix, AZ
Dawn and Corey Johnson
August 10, 2015
We would like to offer our deepest sympathy and most heartfelt, sincere condolences to The Gannon Family and especially to you Robert. Rest In Peace John. You are loved and shall be missed.
Nicholas Richie
August 10, 2015
I haven't seen John since my sole trip to Arizona many years ago, but we corresponded and I found his annual holiday newsletter fascinating. His great good friend, Lee Kornblum, also kept me informed regarding John's life on a regular email basis. When I published my travel memoir, The Plane to Lisbon, John called me and we talked a long time about the book in detail and how much he enjoyed it - it was very generous of him, exactly what an author lives to hear. My condolences go out to all who loved him.
Gail Rathbun
August 10, 2015
John was so welcoming and kind to me when I first started at the library. He made a VHS tape of Disney films for my kids which I still have. Later He joined me in opening the Student Center and was so supportive and kind to both staff and patrons. He will be truly missed
Karen Biglin
August 9, 2015
I feel privileged to have worked with John at the Tempe Public Library, and to have become friends with him. Never was there anyone more cheerful and upbeat!
Mary Kolbe
August 9, 2015
Robert, though I haven't seen you for years, you were always one of my favorite clients when I was at Designers Showcase and, later, when I owned my own store, DS The Studio. It's just 'happenstance' that I read of your partner's passing. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Knowing you and what an A+ man of character, kindness, personality and talent you are, I can only imagine what a stellar human being John must have been. I've walked your very sad journey and, though hard for you to imagine, you will come through it. Please know that an old acquaintance is thinking of you.
Mary Kolbe - Kolbe Interiors LLC, Phoenix.
Attacked by plastic flamingo, 1983
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
Robert and John, March 2015
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
Ed, John, Faith, Millie, Lee, 2015
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
John and Millie, Christmas 2014
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
John and Lee, Christmas 2013
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
John's birthday, 2009
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
Lee, Millie, Linda, John, Christmas 2008
Lee Kornblum
August 9, 2015
2013 John, Lee, Jackie, Linda, Millie movie day
Amelia (Millie) Frei
August 9, 2015
Regardless of age, John brought joy to everyone he touched. His caring friendship will be treasured in my memories, always. Your beautiful presence is so missed.
Linda Barrett
August 9, 2015
I met John for the first time when he interviewed me for a page position at the Tempe Public Library in 1987. What normally would have been a brief interview turned into a two hour gab fest. We became friends immediately and remained so until his death. He was my soul brother and truly, the finest person I have ever known. I will miss him for the rest of my life, as will everyone who ever knew him.
Chritmas, 2008
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
Lee, Millie, John, 2007
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
Jacki and John, 2007
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John and Linda, 2007
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John & Robert in Cleveland
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John, Bob, Ed, Pier 39, San Francisco, 1991
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John, Tucson, 1985
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John, Ed, Bob, Alameda, CA, 1989
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John in Lee's backyard, 1983
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John and Lee, Phoenix, 1983
Lee Kornblum
August 8, 2015
John was my first friend in Phoenix. I loved him from the first time I met him in 1983, and he was my dearest friend up to the very end and beyond. He was the best person I've ever know. His loss is immense, both to me and to everyone who knew him.
Ginger Vandenberg
August 6, 2015
A laugh you loved to laugh with. Memory eternal
Showing 1 - 39 of 39 results
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Funeral services provided by:
A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013
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