P/O Arthur James Cannon

A Brief History of Art Cannon and his Family

Art was born in Moose Jaw in December 1922, the third child of Charles and Lucy Cannon. He attended St. Marks School and the Marquis Public School. Art has lived most of his life in the Marquis Community except for three years during the war. After enlisting in the R.C.A.F. in October 1942, Art received training at McGill University in Montreal and Mont Joli, Quebec as a tail gunner. In September 1943 he was stationed at Middleton, St. George, England. The crew of which Art was a member completed 33 bombing missions over the European mainland. Art was discharged in April, 1945, as a Flying Officer. Following his return to Canada, Art purchased the "Teddy" quarter in 1945. During the winter of 1945/46 he worked in a lumber camp in Ontario. In 1946, Art purchased the S1/2 of 22-19-27. He farmed with his Dad and brother George during those years and at the present time is farming with his son Gordon. For the winter of 1947/48, Art worked in a Vancouver sawmill. On October 11, 1948, Art married Genevieve (Jenny) Burkart, of Holdfast. She attended Aberfelly School and worked at the Providence Hospital. They were blessed with six children - 3 boys and 3 girls. In 1953 Art and Jenny purchased 10 acres, which is the site of their present farmstead. From 1956 to 1964 they operated a dairy farm.

Art has served on various boards and committees such as the Community Club, Parish Council, Rural Telephone, the Knights of Columbus and St. Mark's School Board. Art also helped coach hockey, baseball and softball while the family was growing up, having actively participated himself in these sports. He now enjoys golf and curling. Jenny has also been active in various organizations: the Catholic Women's League, Community Club, Parish Council, Home and School, 4-H as an assistant and project leader, and as a Regional Library Representative. She enjoys sewing, handicrafts or all kinds and gardening.

Rita was born July 1949 and attended St. Mark's School in Marquis and took her grade 12 at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw. During those years Rita enjoyed curling, softball and a variety of other sports. Rita obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1970. She worked at the Saskatchewan hospital in North Battleford for a year and a half. Rita then entered the Laboratory Technicians course at S.I.A.A.S. in Saskatoon for one year and interned at the Nanaimo Hospital for the second year of her training. Rita continued working in the Nanaimo Hospital where she is now employed as Head of the Special Chemistry Department.

Rita lives in Lantzville, B.C. and is active in softball, skiing and enjoys gardening and handiwork.

Robert was born February 1951. He attended St. Mark's School in Marquis and completed his high school in Peacock Technical in Moose Jaw. After completing a two-year course on business administration at the Saskatchewan Technical Institute (S.T.I.), in Moose Jaw, Bob moved to Edmonton in 1970 where he began employment with the Federal Government. In 1973, he married Laureen Johnstone of Edmonton, Alberta, who was employed as a secretary with the Alberta Government. They have three children - Gregory, 6, Michael, 4, and Angela, 3. In September 1978 Bob and his family moved to Saskatoon and in May 1980, he was transferred to Yellowknife, N.W.T. Bob is currently employed with the Department of Regional Economic Expansion (DREE) as a Program Officer. Bob and Laureen enjoy curling during the winter and are kept busy with the children as they participate in hockey, swimming and T-Ball. In June of 1983 they were transferred to Prince Albert in Sask.

Lois was born in January 1954. She attended St. Mark-s Elementary School and obtained her high school at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw. During this time Lois went to Camp Monahan, located near Lebert, for seven years, serving as camp leader for 4 years. Lois entered a one-year Certified Nursing Assistant course at S.I.A.A.S. in Regina. Following graduation in 1973 she obtained employment at the Regina General Hospital. In 1975, Lois married Don Ross of Meunster. They continued to reside in Regina until 1981, during which time James (4) and Christa Anne (2) were born. Lois and family are currently living at Grenfall, Saskatchewan. Lois works part time at the Wolseley Nursing Home. She was a 4-H member and still enjoys sewing and doing handiwork. Don is employed as a District Representative with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. The family is kept busy in as active community with curling and skating.

Anne was born July 1958 and attended St. Mark's Elementary School and took her high school at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw. She took a two-year nursing course at K.I.A.A.S. (Kelsey) in Saskatoon and graduated in 1978. Anne has been employed at the Regina General Hospital since that time. She was an active 4-H member taking knitting, sewing and a quilting project. Anne went to Camp Monahan for eight years and was a camp leader for three of those years. Anne also has taken several years of music and was a church organist for a short period of time. She enjoys music, sports and handicrafts.

Gordon was born December 1959 and attended St. Mark's Elementary School and completed his high school education at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw. During those years he played football and hockey. Gordon then worked in the Alberta Oil Fields for two winters. At the present time he operates a mixed farm in the Marquis community. When not busy with the farm Gordon still enjoys hockey, curling and baseball.

John was born September 1962 and attended St. Mark's Elementary School and completed his secondary education at Vanier Collegiate in Moose Jaw. During this time John played football and curled. He completed 5 units of woodworking in 4-H. at the present time John has a third year apprenticeship in carpentry and plans to make carpentry his career. He enjoys many sports but is especially fond of curling having participated in the High School and Junior Provincial playoffs.