Francis G. Canty

Dr. Francis (Frank) George Canty, long time resident of Orlando and member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, died peacefully on Thursday, April 28, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 59 ½ years, Mary Elizabeth; sons Frank, Tom (Joyce), and Mark (Kristi); daughters Mary Clare (Rick), Theresa and Barbara (Valete) ; brothers Pat, Jim and Mike; 9 grandchildren; 5 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Leone and grandson Jeremy. Frank was born on March 15, 1926 in Sarasota, FL and lived there until he entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 19. He served on a minesweeper toward the end of WWII. After the war, he attended Marquette University, where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. Later, he received a Masters Degree in Science and Management from Rollins Collage as well as a Doctorate of Vocational, Technical and Occupational Education from Nova University. He met his wife Mary in Chicago and they married in 1951. After starting their large family, they moved to Orlando in 1954. Frank worked on the Saturn and Apollo missions at the Kennedy Space Center for five years and also worked at Martin Marietta. He was a teacher at Colonial High School for twenty years. After retiring, he and Mary traveled to some parts of the world, visiting all 7 continents, even walking a half marathon in Antarctica! When the children were young, the family camped all over Florida. Frank and Mary continued this hobby later, camping in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and even many times in Alaska, their favorite destination. When his sons were young, Frank was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout troop leader. He was fascinated with music from the twenties and loved singing it. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and was involved in competitive race walking with Mary around Orlando and other parts of Florida. They also competed in a marathon in Alaska and a half marathon at Disney World. Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 60 years. To end with a quote from Frank's autobiography written when he was 83, "What then sustains me? My lifelong Catholic faith and my decades-long relationship with Mary, my wife—these are the two cornerstones, the pillars of my existence; and my sons and daughters and their families."

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hospice of the Comforter would be appreciated. Donations can be sent to:
Hospice of the Comforter
480 West Central Parkway
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714