Clinton Hale Canning

Clinton Hale Canning, 73, of Portland, CT, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 30th. Clint was a graduate of Portland High School, attended college at West Virginia Wesleyan, and was a retiree of NorthEast Utilities.

Clint was a member of the Glastonbury Elks Club 2202 for thirty-seven years, and spent many years singing in the Portland Methodist Church Choir. A passionate sports fan, Clint cheered on many teams, and shared a deep love for the Red Sox with his beloved grandson, Khristopher. Rooted in his expansive knowledge of and interest in history, Clint was also an avid collector. He enjoyed sharing the coins, stamps, hummel figurines, and jewelry he accumulated throughout the years, along with the history behind each treasure.

Even more importantly, however, is that Clint was also a collector of life's most precious gifts: family and friends that loved him and that he loved fiercely in return. His love, support, and devotion will live on in the hearts of his children and grandchildren: Joshua Canning, his wife Sandy, along with children JC Canning and Gabriella Canning; Jessica Lizaire, her husband Brahams, along with their children, Khristopher, Dakota, Jaiden, and Bryson; Paula Motta and her husband Kevin along with their children Ava, Charlotte and Jameson. Not only a grandfather, he was, in the words of his beloved granddaughter Dakota, "like a best friend."

Clint also leaves behind his cherished "partner in crime," his Olde English Bulldog, Harley Marie, who he spoiled and loved endlessly.

Clint will be remembered for many things-his sincere love and dedication to his family, his warmth, his life-of-the-party energy and of course his perfectly timed jokes. But what will also never be forgotten is his tremendous singing voice and the joy it brought to so many people throughout the years. His family and friends will certainly always remember him singing his pitch perfect rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love," by his lifetime favorite singing icon, Elvis Presley. Clint captured his passion for singing perfectly with the quote by the Scottish poet Alexander Smith that he chose to include above his senior portrait in his high school yearbook: "It is in his nature to blossom into song, as it is the tree's to leaf itself into April."

Graveside services will be held on Thursday (July 6) at 10:00 a.m. in the Center Cemetery, Portland. Friends may call at the Portland Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland on Wednesday (July 5) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.