Peter Dudley Canning

1950 - 2023

BORN

1950

DIED

2023

FUNERAL HOME

Dinoto Funeral Home

17 Pearl St.

Mystic, Connecticut

Peter Canning Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Peter Dudley Canning
Start: 2023-01-12T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Calvary Church

Stonington - Peter Dudley Canning of Stonington, died Jan. 4, 2023. He was born Nov. 21, 1950, the second son of William John Canning, an architect, and Marian Toner Canning, a nurse.

Peter grew up in Groton, and graduated from Robert E. Fitch High School and Webb Institute, where he studied naval architecture. After college, he moved to Berkeley, California, to work as a yacht designer with Gary Mull. In 1973, he returned to Connecticut, where he started his own design firm, designing two sailboats manufactured by Metalmast (the Metalmast 30' and 36'), and two manufactured by Mariner Yacht Company (the Mariner 28' and 36').

In 1980, Peter began his career at Electric Boat, where he worked for 37 years in various roles, including serving as the Manager of Naval Architecture. He found great purpose in designing submarines for the U.S. Navy, and in working at Electric Boat. Building strong relationships with colleagues across Electric Boat, and with their customers - the Navy - was a big part of what got him up each morning. He enjoyed recruiting and mentoring talented naval architects and engineers.

Peter loved boating, hunting and fishing with his brothers: Bill, a successful wealth manager in New London, and Douglas, a renowned pediatric surgeon in Philadelphia. He built two homes, including one with his great friend, H. Wes Maxwell. Later in life, he dedicated himself to the sport of rowing, encouraged by his friends, Karl Parks, Stephen Parks and Hart Perry. A member of Mason's Island Yacht Club, Off Soundings Club and the Mudheads, he was also proud to be a member of the Mystic Seaport Museum for almost 50 years.

Peter also loved spending time with his wife, Sarah, his daughters, Katherine and Martha and their family and friends at the Mason's Island Yacht Club. He looked forward to Sarah's chocolate cookies and watching the Boston Red Sox. He was obsessive about dandelion removal from his yard, but refused to use pesticides. He taught his girls to sailboat race and fly kites. A relentless problem solver, he always had a solution for any pending problem his daughters had. As those with daughters will understand … his advice was mostly welcomed. He loved dogs, woodworking, single malt scotch, snowy days, family parties, hazy summer mornings by the water and snappy bowties.

Peter is survived by his immediate family, Sarah, Katherine, and Martha Canning: his brother William G. Canning; his sisters-in-law, Suzanne H. Canning and Annabelle B. Canning; his nephews and nieces: William J., Tracy, John, Alexia, Maddy and Caroline Canning; as well as his delightful great-nieces and nephew: Sabina, William, Flora and Louisa Canning. He is predeceased by his parents; his brother Douglas A. Canning; and his nephew Peter H. Canning.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Avalon Health Care Center for their wonderful care for Peter during his final years.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Calvary Church, 27 Church Street, Stonington. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Peter's honor to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, 27 Chase Street, Pawcatuck, Connecticut 06379 c/o Susan Sedensky, J.D., Executive Director. The Dinoto Funeral Home is assisting the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jan. 8, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Canning

Sponsored by Dinoto Funeral Home.

8 Entries

Lorraine Healy

January 12, 2023

My condolences to Sarah, the girls and all the rest of the family. I unfortunately just saw the obituary and I missed the service. I worked with Pete many years ago at EB and I am so sadden by this. You are all in my prayers.

John Biederka

January 12, 2023

I think Peter was the nicest person I knew during my time at Electric Boat. He was always quietly supportive in meeting our challenges and goals and could be counted on to provide deeply thought out suggestions to correct course when we were getting off track. Peter enjoyed simple pleasures and loved to share them with others. I remember the special tea making procedure he swore by and especially remember the warm homemade bread that Martha would bring to him at work. He was so proud and pleased and how we both enjoyed it when he would share some with me! And family was hugely important to Peter; he wanted to get a special ring for Sarah and travelled all the way to Maine to have one custom made.

Peter was very reserved and conservative, but definitely had a wild streak that he kept strictly under control. I remember driving home with Peter from MIT one evening when we encountered a long line of traffic waiting to get off of the exit-Peter said to me devilishly-just drive up to the front of the line and cut in, and he was serious!!

Peter was always a joy to interact with and he will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Sarah and family. Godspeed Peter.

Stephen Menno

January 10, 2023

My sincerest condolences to Peter´s family. I can only imagine how hard this must be. Pete and I started at EB the same year and retired within a year of each other. I interacted with Peter many times in my time at EB. He provided the naval architects I needed to help with the many submarine concepts I was responsible for. But more than how easy and professional he was to work with, I remember him as a friendly and genuinely caring person. My youngest daughter Christin is the same age as Peter´s Martha. Christin developed cancer at age 3 and went through 14 months of treatment. Throughout it all, Pete never stopped showing concern, interest and encouragement. Years later when Christin went through some follow up surgeries, Pete even volunteered the services of his brother. While I never took him up on the offer, it is truly the thought that counts. Thanks for being a little part of my life, Peter. May God bless you and your family.

Joanne Miceli

January 9, 2023

I knew Peter from Electric Boat where we learned our daughters attended the same school and he offered much advice about navigating the politics of that school. He was a very down-to-earth manager and was missed when he retired. My prayers to his family an especially his daughters losing their Dad so young.

L. Michael Clancy

January 9, 2023

It has been so long since I heard the name Peter Canning. I first meet Peter while attending Fitch High School. We both graduated in the Class of 1968. While reading Peter's Obituary, it reminded me of the talented and successful people I had attended school with. At the time I never realized I had the privilege of having quality people like Peter as classmates. I express my deepest sympathy to Peters family and pray that he may RIP.

Mary Frances Budzik

January 9, 2023

Dear Sarah and family, I worked with Peter quite often at EB. When he found out that Sarah and I were high school classmates, he liked to tell me of his daughters and their accomplishments. He was a kind and gentle man and very respected by his coworkers. I am very sorry, Mary Frances Budzik

Frank Florio

January 9, 2023

To Sarah and family, I am very saddened to hear of Peter's passing. Peter took a special interest in me early in my career at Electric Boat as my Engineering manager. I will never forget our weekly discussions.
He and I would jab each other about the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry all season long. I miss those times dearly. I think we are going to the World Series Pete! I know the Red Sox are not! I hope you will be watching!
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this very difficult time. May he rest in peace.

Doug Reed

January 8, 2023

My old friend Peter was a gentleman. He stayed that way through our visits in the last two years at Avalon. "Thank you for stopping by," he said the last time, and always shook my hand with a very strong and prolonged grip. Once, I called him "Chumpy," remembering many decades past. "Chump," he said, correcting me. Pete said few words, but they were always succinct, clear, to the point, and sometimes dryly humorous. His smile was perfect and not infrequent. He and I started together in Cub Scouts. My mother was Den mother. Pete was proud of an eel he caught and then held up for the camera. (I'll find the picture.) We were neighbors. I told Pete how well I remembered his mother's tuna fish. "She made good tuna fish," Pete said. We served together in the Fitch Key Club (I think Pete was best dressed, along with classmate John Durham) and on the Fitch Swim Team, where Pete was a star. We competed in Blue Jay races. (We didn't stand a chance with "brother Billy" on board!) It was sad for me and my sisters to see Pete in his decline, which he nonetheless seemed to endure gracefully. A hearty salute to Pete, old friend, and sincere condolences to Bill and all the family, who have lost so much.

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