Michael E. Canning

1957 - 2020

Canning, Michael E.
Michael E. Canning, of Oak Park, Illinois passed away on December 29, 2020 at the age of 63 after a two-year battle with cancer. Born in Central Falls, Rhode Island to Edward and Catherine (Morris) Canning, he was the beloved husband of 30 years to his wife Sally and father of his daughter Madeline.
Mike was a life-long learner, earning a B.A., Humanities from Providence College in 1979, a B.S., Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Rhode Island in 1985, a M.S., Civil Engineering from Penn State University in 1989, and a M.A., International Studies/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Wheaton College in 2012. He graduated from Cumberland High School in 1975.
Mike taught Business English to international business students and provided customized Business English language coaching for more than 100 international executives and managers across a wide range of industries. Mike adored his students and never stopped thinking about how to build their skills and confidence in English and intercultural communication. He combined his expertise in teaching with the experience he gained from more than two decades as a civil engineering manager, specializing in water and wastewater hydraulic modeling, master planning and optimization. He stayed involved in the profession, and enjoyed the comradery of his workmates, on the team of the Australian water optimization firm WCS Engineering.
Mike walked forward in death as he had in life, following the Good Shepherd he loved and trusted. He served in many capacities in the church over the years, including as head elder, teacher and cast member in many a humorous and meaningful skit. Mike was a genuinely humble, kind, gentle and caring soul whose listening and presence made others the focus, leaving them feeling heard and accepted. A djembe player, music was essential to Mike's life, and his yearly "best of" song compilations were highly anticipated (and debated) by friends and family. An avid outdoorsman, Mike enjoyed hiking, kayaking and traveling with loved ones. A lifelong baseball fan, Mike took great joy in organizing an annual baseball trip with his siblings to a Red Sox away game, with a goal of visiting all MLB ballparks in America. These trips included a required visit to an Irish Pub and a live music venue – a tradition that his siblings look forward to continuing in his honor. Mike is also survived by his four siblings, Patrick and his wife Betsy of Chicago, IL, Christopher and his wife Michelle of Warwick, RI, Kathleen Mello and her husband Vincent of Wilmington, NC and Stephen and his wife Kristen, of New Market, MD. He was the proud and loving uncle to 12 nieces and nephews, including Caroline, Abbey, Corinne, Audrey, Douglas, Sean, Mallory, Benjamin, Molly and Tess Canning, and Megan and Luke Mello.
Mike donated his body to science with the hope that he could help others by advancing the study and treatment of serious disease. Funeral services will be private, with a memorial service planned for later in 2021 to celebrate Mike's life.