In loving memory

Thomas B. "Tom" Canonica passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2011, after a bout with cancer. He was born on January 29, 1940, in Everett, Washington, the son of Angelo B. "Razz" Canonica and Aleta Norvell Canonica. He grew up in the Summit neighborhood of Riverside, where his dad ran the family store, home of the famous Razz Burger. Tom was part of a large Italian "Garlic Gulch" family and regularly treated family and friends to fabulous Italian dishes made from old family recipes. He graduated from St. Edwards Seminary at 16 and attended Everett Community College. He was very proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his long career with Washington Natural Gas Company, from which he retired in 2000. He was a past president of Sertoma and the Marysville Sons of Italy and was also affiliated with the Everett Elks and the American Legion. He lived at Priest Point in Marysville for the past 26 years.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Mary Minshull Canonica, and the children they shared with each other: Chris and Denise Canonica, Ronnie and Frank Maier, Lynn and Artie Kavanaugh, and Erin Sorbo. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Anna Lee Minshull; his 12 grandchildren, MJ, Chelsea, Chloe, Megan, Maddy, Emma, Ella, Colin, Lila, Ryan, Jerry, and Chiara; his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Sandy Canonica; nephews and nieces Pat and Allison Punteney, Vince Punteney and Monica Morris, Tammy Punteney, Debbie Hann and Jerry Lundin, Larry Canonica, Jr., and Stephanie Simmons, and Mike and Anita Canonica; Stacy Bosman, Todd Cudaback, and numerous beloved grandnieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, out-laws, and dear friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents Ferdinand and Patrina Canonica of Barolo, Italy; his grandmother Rose Wemmer of Warm Beach; his sister, Sharon Rose Punteney; and his nephew Nick Punteney.

Some of his fondest memories were of sailing the Caribbean, sitting on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, hunting dove and deer with "the boys," traveling Rocketman-style through the Northwest Territories, enjoying the Southwest (especially Canyon De Chelly and the Navajo culture), and gathering with the family for Memorial Day in Grand Coulee, Columbus Day in Long Beach, and above all, the 4th of July on Priest Point. Tom was always happiest at home on his own deck, and never more so than when surrounded by his family. He loved crabbing and clamming with his girls, whose earliest memories include fun times on Papa's boat. His warmth, humor, and gusto della vita made every holiday, birthday party, weekend barbecue, and drop-in visit special. He was our pirate, our Batman, our Christmas Eve Santa Claus, and our go-to guy. We have lost our Papa and our hearts are broken, but we'll carry him with us always. We'll smile when we think of him, when we eat pesto and blackberry pie, and when we remind each other, always, "Alla famiglia."

Memorials may be made to Perpetual Help Catholic Church/St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank or to St. Mary Catholic Church in Marysville.

Services:

• Thursday, July 21, 2011 - Evergreen Funeral Home in Everett
  Viewing from 3 to 6 p.m., rosary at 7 p.m..
• Friday, July 22, 2011 - St. Mary Catholic Church in Marysville
  Memorial mass at 9 a.m. with reception following