Charles A. Canny (1890-1944)

CANNY, ROARTY

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 2/9/2020 at 21:05:00

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier January 31, 1944
Photo posted with obit
Charles A. Canny … in a typical pose while county paint foreman.
Charles A. Canny, World war I veteran, painter and world traveler, died at 5:20 a.m. today at the veterans hospital in Des Moines. He was 53 years old and had been in failing health for several years. He was born in Philadelphia December 9, 1890, but Ottumwa had been his hometown since he was 5 years old. He had not always resided here, however, because he spent many years in the Navy, both in peacetime and wartime. He visited a great many ports of the world, both before the last war and afterwards. He enlisted for Navy service during the last war on August 7, 1917, and served in that period until April 7, 1919, when he was discharged at New York. He was a chief carpenter’s mate during and after the war, and at one time headed a construction crew at the Hog Island shipyards. Locally, Mr. Canny was known widely as an active and loyal member and sometimes officer of the O.B. Nelson post, American Legion. He also was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post. By the general public he was even better known as a painter, a trade he followed for 34 years. He served at one time as foreman of a WPA paint gang which left their mark on almost every public building and structure, such as highway bridges, in the county. After dissolution of the WPA he continued as county paint gang foreman. Although a large man, “Charlie” was unusually active when well, clambering over ladders and “high” structures. His love for paining found its final satisfaction in artistic work, including three large murals. Failing health, brought on by heart disease, forced his retirement. His residence was Eldon route 1, but he has pent much time in the veterans hospital. Mr. Canny, who also was a member of the Sacred Heart catholic church is survived by his wife, Gladys; on half brother Corporal Michael Roarty of Camp Roberts, California, and one-half sister, Private First-Class Mary Roarty, of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. The body is being brought to the Johnson funeral chapel awaiting completion of funeral arrangements.
Funeral services for Charles A. Canny, Eldon route 1, who died at the Veterans’ hospital in Des Moines at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. A requiem high mass will be celebrated by the Rev. John H. Courtney. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery. Military services at the grave will be in charge of the local O.B. Nelson post No. 3, American Legion and pallbearers will be fellow legionnaires of Mr. Canny. The body will remain at the Johnson funeral chapel until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.