John Francis Cannon

John Francis Cannon was the second of five children born to Peter James and Frances Loretta Cannon, both of Fanad, County Donegal, Ireland. He was preceded in death just ten weeks ago by his adored wife, Viola Jean Wagner Cannon. He also follows his brother, James Alphonsus Cannon, and his sister, Mary Frances Cannon Hanlon. John is survived by his brother, Andrew Daniel Cannon, and his sister, Eileen Anne Cannon Lyons.
John was born and raised on Tiffany Street in the South Bronx, across the street from St. Athanasius Church and School. He was a fine student and an altar boy, who served for a young priest who became Terrance Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York. It was the priests of St. Athanasius who encouraged John to sit for the entrance exam at Regis High School, to which he was accepted and from which he graduated in 1953. John credited his future success to his experience at Regis, and for many years was not only an avid supported but a member and President of the Board of Trustees.
After graduation John studied mathematics at Fordham University at night, while supporting his mother and working during the day. He eventually landed at IBM, where he met his future wife, Viola Jean Wagner, known by all who love her as Jean. He was smitten when he walked past her desk and saw the Catholic Mass Missal sitting next to her purse. He started throwing spare change in his desk drawer, and when she noticed, he explained he was saving up to ask her out. Their first date was a concert that included Beethoven's Seventh Symphony by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall, Leonard Bernstein conducting. It became their "song".
Once John completed his degree at Fordham, he considered applying to law school in the New York area. Jean told him he should consider Harvard, to which he replied, "who wants to spend three years in New Haven?" He did apply, and fate would have it that he was offered a transfer to work in Cambridge that coincided with his acceptance to Harvard Law. John and Jean were married after his first year, welcomed their first child during his second year, and after graduation, John started his career at Sullivan & Cromwell just prior to the birth of their second child. John was a Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell for over thirty years, specializing in Litigation and Labor Relations. He was also very involved in charitable pursuits in his lifetime, advocating for and supporting the South Bronx Education Foundation, Regis High School, the Vatican Museum, the Harlem School for the Arts, the Amor Artis Chorale, and the Catholic Church in New York.
John and Jean shared a remarkable marriage and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2025.
John's memory is cherished by their four children: Maryl Cannon (husband John) Apadula, John P. (wife Modi Celia) Cannon, Paul A. Cannon, and Elizabeth Cannon (husband Padraig) Mullen. He also leaves behind twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who were a constant source of immense pride and joy.
John's life was deeply rooted in faith, humility, and integrity. Despite the breadth of his work and charitable interests, his family always came first, and in retirement he and Jean relished being with and enjoying the growth of their family through their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also developed a strong and loving relationship with his extended family in County Donegal, County Cork and County Galway which his family will continue to honor and cherish in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Fleetwood, New York (https://stspeterpaulandstursula.churchgiving.com/). This church was Jean's childhood Parish and the setting for their wedding.