William “Will” Canan

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Thursday, February 19, 1998
Date of Death:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Age:
14 years old

Visitation

Date: Sunday October 14, 2012
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Funeral Mass

Date: Monday October 15, 2012
Time: 2:00 pm

Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Oakwood Cemetery

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Thursday, February 19, 1998
Date of Death:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Age:
14 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Thursday, February 19, 1998
Date of Death:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Age:
14 years old

William “Will” Canan

William Thomas Canan, age 14, passed away at home surrounded by his parents, sister, maternal and paternal grandparents on Thursday, October 11, 2012.  He valiantly battled brain cancer for over eight years.

Will was born February 19, 1998 in Rochester to Tom and Elizabeth Canan.  Will attended St. Francis School from pre-school through 8th grade. A goal of Will’s was to start his freshman year at Lourdes High School in August.  While only able to attend for two days, Will accomplished his goal.  Will was passionate about the game of baseball and played for seven summer/fall seasons in Rochester Youth Baseball. He was a devoted fan of the Minnesota Twins, Green Bay Packers and University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball team.  Will was a whiz at constructing things out of Legos as a child and enjoyed playing video games on his iPad.  He also loved spending time at his grandparents’ cabin in Colorado and at his aunt and uncle’s house on Lake Wissota in Wisconsin.  He was a member of Cub Scout Pack 186 and won several trophies and awards racing his Pinewood Derby cars and for selling popcorn.  He also enjoyed playing golf and won the Junior Kids Cup tournament in his age group several times, despite competing while undergoing cancer treatment.

Will was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a brain tumor in 2004.  His cancer journey was long and difficult yet he never complained.  His kindness and concern for others, his determination, courage, honesty and sense of humor won the hearts of all who knew him. He received wonderful care at Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center in New York City, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. His illness made wonderful experiences possible including a Make-a-Wish Trip to Disney World, a fishing trip to Alaska, Camp Sunshine with 40 other brain tumor families, Minnesota Twins Spring Training, Camp Firefly, opportunities to meet some Twins, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox players, a trip with Dad to watch the Packers win the Super Bowl in Dallas, TX, and a trip to Montana with Mom to Camp Big Sky Kids in June, 2012.   He will be dearly missed, but we know he has joined God’s team in Heaven as the new starting shortstop.

Will is survived by his parents, his sister Katherine, a junior at Lourdes High School, his maternal grandparents Joe and Pat Levy of Lawrence, KS and paternal grandparents Mike and Jean Canan of LaCrosse, WI, four aunts and uncles, eleven cousins, and best friend Joey Viggiano.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Will may be made to:  St. Francis of Assisi School in Rochester, Camp Sunshine in Casco, ME, Rochester Youth Baseball, Brains Together for a Cure in Rochester, Mayo Clinic Children’s Center, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

A funeral Mass to celebrate and honor Will’s life will be held at 2pm on Monday, October 15, 2012 at St. John’s Catholic Church officiated by Rev. Mark McNea and Rev. Thomas Loomis.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2012 from 4 pm to 7pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.   A reception will be held in the St. John’s School gymnasium following the service.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online Condolence are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Condolences

The family of William “Will” Canan has received the following condolences.

Liz, Tom and Katherine,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your precious son, Will.

Although his life was all too brief, he certainly lived every minute to its fullest.

May God keep you in His loving care at this most difficult time.

 

Joe and Pat, we are so sorry about Wll. I know he must have been a great kid. I know it is hard to unerstand why God will take such a nice kid, but I guess if I was God, this is type of kid I would like to have with  me in heaven. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are wit you.Max & Janie Williams

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Canan,

I have heard such beautiful stories about your son and the great love that you have given all of his years.  Many have spoken of his courage and his great love of for all of you his family and his friends.

So I send my prayers for you each day. 

May our good God give you peace today and all the days to come,

Sister Eleanor   ( A Franciscan Sister at Assisi Heights)

 

I fondly remember Will from his Desk C days. What an amazing boy! My thoughts are with you.

My deepest sympathies to your families-My thoughts and prayers are with you-Candy Schmid

Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the family of Will.  May his light shine forever in your hearts.

Dear Canan family,

Please know of our love, hugs and prayers for all or you at this time and in the future.

Nancy & Tom Hockert (from St. Francis)

Hi Liz and Family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. God Blees you all.
Take care,
Ron
Dear Canan family,
My deepest sympathies go out to you all and your extended family at the loss of Will. While I never met him, Liz captured his gallant fight and his patient spirit through her journaling that brought many of us close. May your memories be forever and your grief be brief knowing he is at peace. Prayers for you at this difficult time.
Dear Canan family,

We were so very sorry to hear about Will. He put up a courageous fight, and I'm sure he was very comforted to know his family was with him in his final hours. While heaven is rejoicing and taking Will into the fold, there's sadness here for many who knew and loved Will. We pray for God's peace and comfort to all of you!

Thirty plus years ago when our niece was in Peds at St. Marys Hospital, there was a poem in a frame on the wall that I've shared over the years, and I wanted to share it with you.

With continued prayers,
Dave and Ruthie Sjoblom and family

A Child Loaned

“I’ll lend you, for a little time, a child of mine,” he said,
“For you to love the while he lives, And mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, Take care of him for me?”

“He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, And should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.”

“I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes I have selected you.

“Now will you give him all your love, Not think that labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call and take him back again?”

I fancied that I heard them say, ‘Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy this child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness; we’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.’

Dear Tom and Family,

It was with great humbleness that through Ms. Canan's posts we followed and saw Will's courage and grace while faced with such unimaginable adversity.

While we never met Will in person we got a strong sense of what a brave young man he was and the impact he had on countless people.

We cannot possibly imagine the feelings and the sense of loss you must be going through right now, and we wish for you all the peace, all the love and all the strength as you carry on and celebrate Will's life and what he meant to each of you.

On behalf of us all, please accept our deepest sympathies on such an untimely loss.

Arens Dilaveri & Family.

Liz and family, I am so very sad to hear about Will's passing. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Will personnally, but know from all that has been written that he was an incredibly special boy. My heart and prayers go to you and your family. Nancy

Dear Canan family:

 

My wife and I are so sorry to read of your loss.  Heaven holds the faithful departed.

Liz and Tom and family, I am so sad to hear of the death of your beautiful son Will.  May all of the happy memories be a comfort to you always.  (I think the team with Will on shortstop has Gregg playing third base, and that warms my heart a little. )  Nancy  

Along with my children, Meghan, Sarah and Norah Grimes, please let me share with all of you our deepest condolences on Will's passing.  Though I did not know Will, as a St. Francis family we have followed your journey; my girls are so sad and we all dearly pray that Will has found the peace he deserves and that all of your hearts, though broken, may begin to heal.  You are all truly surrounded by a community whose prayers and love will never forget Will or your family.

Mary Hanton, Meghan, Sarah and Norah Grimes

Tom and Family,

My deepest condolences go out to you.  I just heard about Will's passing, and I truly mourn for your loss.  Tom, I have appreciated working with you here at Olmsted County, and on behalf of myself and many others here that you have helped, we offer our deepest sympathies.

Jill Schmidt

Dear Canan Family,

We were so sorry to hear of Will's passing. He was an extraordinarily brave young man and his time here was much too short. Peace to you and know that our thoughts are with you.

Mandy and Jason Ness

Tom and Family - I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of Will.   He certainly fought a long and brave fight.  God Bless him and you and your family.

Teresa Wegner (RFD)

Tom and Family,

So sorry to hear of Wills passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. 

Paul Minten

I and all the members of the Carlson/Clayton families extend to you are deepest sympathy.  God bless Will and all the members of your family.

My heartfelt sympathy four your family.  Your story has touched so many people in such positive ways.  God bless you and my prayers wll continue for your family.

Monica-Child Support

i pray for you all.  

Canan family;

Our hearts are with you as you morn the loss of your son.  Will was such an inspiration to all of us.  His smile will always stay with me, that he was able to find joy even in the small things even while in pain.  

We know that Will is in a better place, he is no longer in pain.  There is no more cancer, no more pain, no more hospital visits, no more pills, no more suffering.  

We hold you up in our prayers.

 

Dear Tom, Liz and Katherine,

Our hearts and prayers are with you during such a difficult time.  Will touched and blessed so many lives. How proud you must feel to have such an amazing young man as your son and brother. We will all miss him.

Love, The Arendt family

Dear Tom and Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Will was an amazing young man with an incredible soul.

Bryan Eder

Dear Tom, Elizabeth, Katherine and Family,

We are so sorry for your loss and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with Will, your family and friends and all the devoted people who helped Will with his long journey. 

Love,

Ralph, Heidi, Hanna and Graham

 

We were deeply saddened to hear about Will's passing. Our heartfelt sympathy and wishes go out to your family and to all who knew and loved Will. What a mighty warrior...

Jodi, Jurg and Family

All my prayers go out to you and your family. I am so happy to have been able to met will those years I had him in class at church. I know he is one of the most wonderful angels in heaven. God bless.

                                                                                                                           Mary Freytag and Family

Liz, Tom and Katherine; please accept my deepest sympathy for your family's loss. Will and the special life he led, even through all his physcial misfortune, is truly an inspiration. Hope you find comfort in believing he now plays peacefully with God's full protection.   

We have read and watched  through the eight years Will fought his battle against his cancer.  God Bless and may the angels shine upon your son.  He is a solider and a hero in the eyes of many.

Words cannot express your loss or the sympathy I feel for your family and friends at this difficult time.  Know that Will's spirit and smile reached out and touched thousands of people all over the world.  His courage has helped thousands of families struggling with a child who is or has been ill.  I have never met Will or your family but type this today with "Blue" fingernail polish on my hand and tears on my face.  Your struggle is over Will, rest in peace.  To your family know he will live on in the hearts and minds of others for years to come.  God Bless.

My heart goes out to your family in the loss of your little boy, Will.  My sons, Colin Boysen and Justin Boysen, both have sons who have played baseball.  It is most likely one of them knew your son, which brings your loss closer to my family.

May God Bless You and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

Linda and Leslie Solmonson

220 Via Vaquero Norte

San Juan Bautista CA 95045

My heart breaks for your entire family as you cope with such extreme loss. I did not know Will, but just recently came across his story and he hasn't left my thoughts since. I can't imagine the pain you have all went through in the past years, but the pictures you have posted on his caringbridge show that he was making the best of what he had. I can't get enough of his smile. Even without meeting him, I know he was an amazing person. Keep your memories of him close as they will help you in the days ahead. Let all this love from people around you help you through. God bless your entire family. My heart is with you all. RIP Will.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Will; though, I know he touched many lives in such a special way. Throughout the years, I encountered several people who told me a story about a friend , "Will," who was full of courage and such an inspiration. There was usually mention of what an amazing family he had who faithfully surrounded him and supported him in all that he faced an hoped to achieve. Of course, one might say, well, "This is what families do." In a perfect world, yes, but, some families come apart when tragedy strikes.... or just do not have the foundation that binds together, those who are called "family." What a testament to your selfless way of loving through it all! What a gift to have been given, if yours here on Earth  only for a time too short....I am certaine that in the days, weeks and perhaps months to come, there will be new realization, even by casual friends, of the many wonderful experiences and life lessons learned through interaction and knowing Will and family. Perhaps this not even noticed or realized until years later. Powerful and priceless.... I give you my deepest sympathy, knowing there is a "Will" sized hole in your hearts, that will always be there. I pray for comfort and gentle healing, as Jesus surrounds you with His love and peace. May God bless you forever with the wonderful memories you created together, and with the knowing that you will be together again....for eternity.

Tom and Family,

Tom, I am glad I had the opportunity to meet Will when he accomplanied you to some adaptive Park and Rec sports nights....he loved those nights of kickball and whiffleball and we loved having the both of you there volunteering!!  What an amazing young man who was an inspiration to all. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace, Will.  You leave a legacy of faith, hope, love, courage and inspiration.  

My deepest sympathy to Liz, Tom, Katherine, grandparents and all relatives and friends of Will.

Liz, I do not know if you remember me from my days at Mayo, but I wanted to tell you how very sorry I am to learn of Will's death.  This is heartbreaking.  Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Tom.

May the Good Lord watch over you both and give you comfort and support during the most difficult time a parent can endure.  May He also keep you safe and well while giving you strength.

God bless you and yours.  My deepest and sincerest sympathies to you all.

 

Shirley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our sincere sympathy to all of your family. Will was a brave young man who managed to make the most of his very short life. May he enjoy the company of angels in heaven.

Tom, Liz and Katherine,

Our heartfelt condolences to all of you.  Will shall always remain an amazing young man in our hearts, full of optimism and joy to all he touched.

Carl, Sherri & Family

To the Canan Family:

My deepest condolences on loss of your 'sweet' Will! He, as well as your family, are truly an inspiration and have touched so many families in his/your courageous, brave fight against cancer.

I have no doubt he is flying with the angels in heaven, looking down upon all of us and you with the biggest smile and in peace!

May the wonderful memories of this journey continue to be with your family during this difficult time and bring you comfort in the future in remembering what brave, wonderful son/brother you are blessed with as a member of your family!

Crystal

Tom and Family

 

My deepest sympathy for the loss of your son, Will.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.