Richard Canavan

Richard A. Canavan, age 64, of Fairview, joined his loving father in heaven on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Born in Syracuse, NY, on May 17, 1949, he was a son of Rita McGee Canavan and the late Paul J. Canavan. Rich was an industrious and hard worker. At 16, he worked two jobs while in high school: at a supermarket and a local print shop. He pre-enlisted in the Navy prior to graduation from Corcoran High School in 1968 and spent a year hitchhiking up and down the California coast before entering boot camp in San Diego. He traveled the world on the newly-commissioned USS Mobile LKA115 between 1969 and 1973.

After completing his service, he lived and worked in San Diego, hitchhiking from San Diego to Syracuse to be best man in his brother Michael's wedding. When he returned to San Diego, he packed his El Camino and drove to Erie, PA, where he quickly found work at G.E. through his Navy friend, Bob Koppes. He bought his first property in 1977, eventually acquiring seven properties in Erie. In 2009, he began renovations on his "retirement home" in Fairview which he considered his greatest accomplishment after retiring from G.E. on December 31, 2009.

Rich is survived by his mother Rita, eight siblings: Michael (Sue), Margie Gordon (Gary), Sally Rozniak (Mike), Mary Theresa Richardson (Bill), Paul, Betsy Biggie (Phil), Billy and Marty (Sue), 16 nieces and nephews, 4 great-nieces and nephews, his dear friend and devoted caregiver, Caroline Jones, and his beloved cat, Molly McGee.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East in Girard on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 5 p.m. in Burton's All Faiths Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AseraCare Hospice, 1600 Peninsula Drive, Suite 14, Erie, PA 16505. The family would to thank AseraCare for their care and compassion. Condolences may be sent at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.