April 20, 2009
Michael Angelo Canale, 87, passed away April 20th, 2009, and is reunited with his beloved wife, Rae. Born in Homer, NY he was the son of the late Nicola and Anna Canale. Mike grew up in Watertown, NY and graduated from Watertown High School in 1939. He married Rae M. Brown in 1944. Mike and Rae moved to Oswego in September of 1946 where they ran the Oswego Hotel. Mike and his brother Dominick purchased Canale’s Restaurant in 1954 and it is still family operated today with “Gramma Canale’s’ recipes. They purchased property on the lake and developed it into Canale’s Barn and Clam Bake Shed in the 50’s. In 1982, the family purchased the New York Central Freight House on East First Street which houses the Press Box and other retail stores. Michael was a veteran of WWII serving in the US Coast Guard. He was a member of the ELKS Lodge #271, past-president of the Charles C. Crisafulli Post, Knights of Columbus, and mayoral candidate for the city of Oswego in 1987. Mike was an avid golfer, bowler, tennis player and bridge player. He is famous for his beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetable gardens. Mike was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Rae Marion Canale in 2002. He is survived by seven devoted children, their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Michael and Barbara Canale, Mary Jane and Thomas Vona, Nicholas and Barbara Canale, Elizabeth and Daniel Dorsey, Steven and Mary Canale, Jean and Gregory Dufore, Michele and David Dufore, and daughter in-law Sharon Canale. Mike and Rae were blessed with 21 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Brandi (Vona) and John Weidman, Abigail, John, and Grace; Amy (Canale) and Matt Dumas, Joshua and Jacob; Nicholas and Monica Canale, Lucia, Carolena and Nicholas; Brian Canale; Elisabeth (Vona) and David Haight; Katherine Canale; Daniel and Jolynn Dorsey; Alissa Canale; Jessica (Vona) and Michael Fortier; Michael T. Canale; Christopher Dorsey; Gregory Dufore; Christine Canale; Matthew Dufore; Emily Dufore; Alison Canale: Raeanne Dufore; Thomas Dufore; Jonathon Dufore; Michele Canale; Marissa Canale. Mike is also survived by his sisters Marie Morgia and Adeline Sutton, and sister-in-law Norma Canale. He was predeceased by his brother Dominick in 2001. Mike had a special place in his heart for his extended family, Robert, James, Deborah, Kathryn and Christina. Mike had many lifelong wonderful friends from Oswego to Italy who lived by his motto Vive Bene, Spesso L’amore, Di Risata Molto, Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often. Funeral services will be conducted Friday 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, Oswego, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will be in All Saints Mausoleum, at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Calling will held Wednesday 5:00 – 7:00p.m. and Thursday 4:00 –8:00 at the Sugar and Scanlon Funeral Home 147 West Fourth Street, Oswego. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke Health Services where Mike received kind and affectionate care.
Canale Family:
My heartfelt condolences to you on the death of your Dad.
I loved Mike like an Uncle as I always felt he and my Dad were like brothers. My travels to Oswego when Dad was alive always had to include a visit to see Mike. He was very special. May you all be blessed by his wonderful legacy and memories!
Love,
Shirley
So sorry to here that Mike has passed on. We’re still out of town so can’t be there to offer our condolences but want to let you know that our prayers are with you. Mike was a truly wonderful person and the world is a better place for him having been here. Our prayer is that you can focus on the wonder of Mike and the great memories that you must have of him. He will be missed by many. God bless!
Fran and Betty Godici
I would like to extend my sympathy and condolences to your family. Though I didn’t know him for very long, while I helped take care of him at St.Luke’s he was a great man. Lots of funny stories to offer us. We will miss him!
Mike’s Family and Friends,
Our Condolences to all on the death of your Dad, your Grandpa, your Great Grandpa, your Dear Friend and a Legend in Oswego.
Mike was truly loved by many. He was the “happiness” of Oswego, that we will truly miss when we come back to visit, we will always remember his warm welcome back smiles.
Mike and his family have been so much a part of my families life that all our tears of sorrow could never equal the wine glass full of the tears of happiness we had with them in Oswego.
We will always remember his visits to our house on Christmas mornings with his black fedora, coat and giant red carnation , stopping by to wish my Mom, Dad and us a Merry Christmas.
He was my one of my first Golf Lessons as a young Pro. My father told me Mike was ready to quit the game because of that dreaded “Lateral” shot and needed some help. I’m not sure I helped but Mike played many years after that. He sure liked to compete and it always show it in his face on how he enjoyed it. He was Rocco Mediate before Rocco Mediate.
I will also remember my first real golf outing with Mike at Pondra Vedra, Florida. He taught me how to have a 7 course Breakfast including Rainbow Trout, 4 course Lunch , and finally 8 courses for Dinner with 8 different pies for Dessert. And we played 27 holes of golf that day too.
But some of our best memories was to see how much Mike loved his family and friends in his face , when one of them entered the room, it was a reflection of love that we will never forget.
Mike, We are glad your up with Rae , Dom and my Dad and all the other people who loved you, and that went before. We know they all will be smiling as much as you made us smile here.
God Bless All
Stan , Sue , Jim and Monica Lisk
Dear Canale Family:
Having grown up with most of you, words cannot express my sorrow for your loss. Mr. Canale was a terrific man that ALWAYS went out of his way to say hello and make sure that everyone was enjoying themselves. I have not seen him in many years, but remember that he always had a huge smile on his face. Oswego, the Canale family and friends of Mr. Canale have lost a great man. All our prayers are with you all and we wish that we could see you during this time of need. Rest in peace Mr. C, you will surely be missed.
To the entire Canale Family . . .
My deepeest sympathy in the loss of your Dad 7 grandfather. I am out of town this weekend so I am sending you my thoughts & prayers. The footprints that your Mom & Dad have left the City of Oswego is a great legacy that will be shared by many for years to come.
God Bless all of you and May you Rest in Peace Mile
I am very sorry to hear of “Grampa” Mike’s passing. I was fortunate to have known him while I worked at Canales, he was such a sweet man, always smiling and I loved the way his eyes would light up when his family would join him for lunch. He had wonderful stories and reminded me a lot of my own Grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Canale’s at this time. God bless the family and rest in peace Grampa Mike, you will truly be missed by all!!
Love,
Terra Atkinson, Ryan & Kamryn Pritchard
Dear Canale Family,
We can’t be there to offer our condolences in person, because we are still in Florida. Your Dad was a wonderful man and he will be missed by all who knew him. May you find comfort in the memories you have of him and in knowing that you are not alone in your grief. Our prayers are with all of you. With deepest sympathy,
Bill and Ingrid Fernandez
Dear Canale Family,
Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time of sorrow. My memories of Mike are of a truly happy person who always went out of his way to make others feel welcome. Mike will surely be missed, but he leaves behind a legacy in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who carry on his love of life and family and who will keep his memory alive for generations to come.
Peace be with you.
Richard and Betty Lee-Patch (Castaldo), J.R., Anthony & Priscilla
Jeannie & Greg Dufore, the entire Canale Family & Friends,
With deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of your Father, Grandfather & friend….I could not be there, however my Mother was & represented all of her children in person along with our sincerest condolences.
Barb (McCleary) Hendershot, Nashville, TN