Edgar W. Cannon Jr., 90, of Avondale, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, at his home in Avondale. He was the spouse of the late Anne Cannon, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Born in Milford, Del., he was the son of the late Edgar Cannon Sr. and the late Ruth Evans Cannon.
During his high school and college years, Ed worked at the family’s garage and built racecar engines for competitions at the Harrington racetrack on the side. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware and then went on to earn his PE. Ed was a member of the US Army after completing ROTC at U of D. He was stationed at the Aberdeen Base during those years.
During his career, he worked primarily for Rohm and Haas at the Bristol Plant in facilities Engineering. Starting in the powerhouse, he implemented many site improvements and eventually led the Group.
When he retired at 50, he started his own engineering firm, Delaware Valley Associates. DVA’s first major project was the design and build of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility for the Bristol / Croyden manufacturing complex.
Along with a busy work life and a large family, Ed enjoyed farming as a hobby. What started as an attempt to grow hay for the horses owned by the family eventually grew to over seven hundred acres that he was farming across the region. He was an active member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, providing Environmental remediation planning support to area Farms.
Ed will be remembered for being a devoted husband to his wife, Anne. He loved and trusted his wife implicitly. He will also be remembered for his intelligence, his dry sense of humor, and his ability to do anything that interested him. Most of all, he will be remembered for his love for his family.
Ed is survived his son, Gary (Laurie) and their children, Kristin (Steve) Michalski, Courtney Cannon, Meghan (Justin) Lamborn, Molly (Matt) McGraw; his daughter, Sally (Fran McGraw) and their children, Scott (Lori) McGraw, Sean (Kim) McGraw, Megan (Dave) Donegan, Ryan (Amanda) McGraw, Mikaela McGraw; his daughter, Anne Cannon and Anne’s daughter, Kerri Cannon; his daughter, Beth Cannon; and his daughter, Nora Cannon (and her partner, Larry Rubin) along with their daughter, Julia. He is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brother, John Gregory. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, his sister Carol Phelan, and his brother Robert Evans.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to any Alzheimer’s foundation of your choice.
Memorial service to be held at 1 p.m. on Nov. 24, at VFW Post 5892, 7620 Lancaster Pike in Hockessin.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
