Gustave A. Canon

Lt. Colonel Gustave A. Canon USAF (Ret) of Eustis, FL passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. He was 84 years old. Born in Savannah, Georgia, he was the 5th generation decedent of ancestors who were among the original settlers of Georgia in 1734. One of his ancestors, an Officer in the Georgia Militia, was wounded defending the city of Savannah from the British during the American Revolutionary War and was taken prisoner. Lt. Colonel Canon held a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Armstrong University, Savannah, Georgia and a Masters of Education from Stetson University, Florida. Gus began his military service at MacDill AFB in 1947 and served our country for 25 years. He first enlisted as an NCO, then in 1951 was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and began his flying career. His flying assignments include KC-130, B-29, B-47 and B-52 aircraft. During the “Cold War” with the USSR in the 50’s and 60’s, he was up there flying 24 hour missions carrying nuclear weapons on airborne alert and guarding our Nation. When the Korean and Vietnam wars came along, he volunteered to fly in both. Gus flew a total of 155 combat sorties in those wars. He lived to serve and knew that “Freedom is Not Free” but bought with the lives of brave young Americans so that our children can live in a free world. Gus Canon’s awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Cluster and the Combat Air Medal with 14 Oak Clusters. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary Lavasse “Chris” Canon. Gus is survived by his sister Mary Butterworth of Orlando, Florida. Daughter Sandra Anne Thibodeau and husband Peter of Brandon, Florida. Daughter Nancy Carol Manley and husband David of Peachtree Corners, Georgia and his grandsons, Canon Randolph Manley, Christopher Brown Manley and Spencer David Manley and numerous cousins’ nieces, nephews and in-laws. A celebration of Life with Celebrant Father Francis Zammit will be held at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, 716 South Center Street, Eustis, Florida on Friday, May 25, at 1:00 p.m. A viewing will be at Harden-Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis, Florida, Friday, May 25, at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Online guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis