Norman D. Canaan

Norman Daniel Canaan, 93 of Ellicott City, MD, passed away on January 6th after a long struggle with heart problems.

Norman was born on October 4th, 1928 to George Canaan, Sr. and Amelia (Hyde) in Hazleton Pennsylvania. Norman graduated from West Hazelton High School (PA) in 1946. Soon after, he entered the US Army and was stationed in Korea. Norman was a proud WWII veteran who processed wounded military in “The Pacific Theater.” In 1948, he came home to PA to work in his family’s auto body shop.

In 1955, he married Jean (Fellin). They were the parents of twin daughters, Cynthia and Claudia. They all moved to Baltimore in 1958 where Norman found work with family members that previously moved to MD.

Norman was very talented and had many careers and hobbies. During his life, in addition to auto body work, he worked at camera stores, Martin Marietta, Vitro Laboratories, and as a school bus driver. In his spare time, he enjoyed photography, gardening, travel, ballroom dancing and cooking. 

Soon after graduating from the University of Baltimore with a BA Degree in Business, Norman moved his family to Ellicott City, MD.

In 1997, Norman met Annette Dehney at a “Big Band” dance and they had 24 years of amazing adventures together. They shared the love of ballroom dancing, traveled to dozens of countries and sailed on 43 cruises together!

Norman is survived by his loving wife Annette Dehney, daughters Cynthia Dodgen (Ben), Claudia Purkey (Wiley) and the Dehney children: Michelle Carlin (Joseph), Collette Cullen (Michael), Aimee Dehney (and her late husband George Dehney), and grandchildren: Jennifer, Nicole, Joseph, Stephanie, Lindsey, Thomas Cullen, Thomas Dehney and Grace.

Norman was predeceased by his first wife Jean (Fellin) in 1995; Norman was the youngest and last living sibling of 8 brothers and sisters: George, Sr., Rosie, Phillip, Edward, Leo, Daniel and Janet. Norman has also left behind many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

In his 93 years on this planet, Norman loved his family, loved his friends and loved chocolate completely. Norman was equally loved by his family, his friends and chocolate companies worldwide. To have met Norm was to love Norm. He will be greatly missed by many people.

There will be a Catholic Mass and Memorial service, open to family and friends, on Saturday, February 12, 2022, 11 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church’s Chapel, in Ellicott City, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
 

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