George "Mac" Canaga

George McFadden Canaga, 91, was born on January 8, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and entered the triumphant church of Jesus Christ on October 28, 2025. He was the son of the late Louis McFadden and George Waite Canaga. 

Mac, as he was so affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of many. His journey on earth was marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of his family and friends whose lives he touched. We remember him not for the end of his life, but for the impact of his life.

Mac is survived by his loving wife, Virginia of 69 years, as well as his two daughters: Barbara Lynn Canaga, and Gayle Canaga Brown (son-in-law Clay), and his two granddaughters: Dorothy Grace Brown and Natalie Kathleen Canaga Brown. 

After completing Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburg, PA, Mac attended and graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1955 with a major in Liberal Arts. While at Penn State he served as member of the Sigma Chi National Fraternity.

Mac married his college sweetheart and Penn State alum, Virginia (Ginny) Kuhn Rogers on April 7, 1956, and soon thereafter, moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to work for Chrysler and the H. K. Porter Brick company in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi respectively. In 1969, Mac relocated to nearby Ocean Springs, Mississippi to complete a 20-year tenure with Ingalls Shipyard as Director of Employment where he supervised employment disputes, negotiated government contracts, and interpreted labor laws. Within his first five years at Ingalls, Mac obtained his Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Business Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi where he later served as adjunct faculty in Business Administration.

Mac found exceptional joy in music. He could often be heard singing “Danny Boy,” Christian hymns, or patriotic songs throughout his home. He was a talented singer and sang in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, Mississippi for 67 years, as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chorus for 50 years. With the Gulf Coast Chorus, Mac found extraordinary delight in the participation of Handel’s “The Messiah” during Christmas and Easter seasonal performances. Mac also performed in several Little Theatre musical productions, both in Bay St. Louis and Biloxi.

Speaking of music, the words “Fish On” were music to his ears. The owner of five boats over his lifetime, Mac spent many happy days trolling for king mackerel and catching the occasional surprise – like a sailfish or barracuda. He shared his joy of blue-water fishing with his daughters (aka his First Mates) and many friends. In 2000 Mac traded in boats for golf clubs and began to travel with Ginny around the US and Europe, hitting the links wherever they found themselves, including St. Andrews, Scotland, and their beloved Penn State.

As a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Mac served as Elder, Deacon, Chair of the Personnel Committee, Chair of Capital Campaign Fund-raisers, Youth Sunday School Teacher, and on numerous committees. In addition, Mac was significantly involved in the Gulf Coast community through service as Chair of the Jackson County Fair Board, founding member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla, and Founding member of the Ocean Springs School District Education Foundation.

Mac had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He often spent his spare time researching topics of interest, completing the New York Crossword puzzle (in pen) and reading biographies on John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Harry S. Truman, and other world leaders, as well as novels by James Michener and Tom Clancy. He loved fishing and was a gourmet cook who displayed his culinary talents every Holiday/Family gathering Rarely, was there a recipe that Mac Canaga could not master.

Those who knew Mac will remember him for his boisterous laughter, deep-rooted faith in Jesus, and his unwavering commitment to spreading love and kindness to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to: First Presbyterian Church/Forward Campaign, 921 Ocean Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit one hour prior.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of George McFadden Canaga.