United States Coast Guard

JOHN C. CANEPA

KEY BISCAYNE, FLA. - John Columbus Canepa, 57, brother of Sandra Canepa, died on Saturday, April 18, 1998. Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.

Published in the Daily Press on 4/19/1998.

JOHN C. CANEPA

KEY BISCAYNE, FLA. - John "Johnny" Columbus Canepa, 57, died in Key Biscayne, Fla., on Saturday, April 18, 1998.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Fay McCreery Canepa and John Joseph Canepa.

After moving to Newport News in 1946, Johnny attended local schools, graduating from Newport News High School in 1960. A member of Sigma Nu fraternity while attending East Carolina University, he later joined the U.S. Coast Guard, where he was honorably discharged in 1969.

Johnny then took the road less traveled; one filled with adventure, friends, excitement and fun. Johnny was born smiling. He had an innate quality for making people happy ... and he was happy.

Johnny became a U.S. merchant marine staff officer, sailing into fascinating seaports throughout the world aboard ships of the Matson, Commodore and Cunard/NAC Cruise Lines. Later, he ventured into coal exploration and marketing, becoming president of two companies, Mountaineer Prospecting Inc. and McCreery Mining Inc. Johnny also delved a bit into contracting; he built beach cottages at Buckroe Beach in Hampton and in Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Survivors include his sister, Sandra Ann Canepa of Hampton; one aunt, Mary Barbara Dobos of Columbus, Ohio; cousins, Patrick Joseph Canepa of Glendale, Calif., Linda Canepa Garrett of Westerville, Ohio, Mary Margaret Rubadue of Columbus, Ohio, Anna Lou Canepa Cicero of Williamsburg and Jackie Canepa Stieffen of Hampton, along with their extended families of children and grandchildren.

Johnny was a longtime resident of Key Biscayne, Fla., but he never lost touch with his many and dear friends: those from his childhood in Stuart Gardens, those from his school days, and those from his days as a lifeguard and swimming coach at Buckroe Beach, Warwick Yacht Club and James River Country Club.

Johnny was an incredible person who loved, motivated, captivated, encouraged and entertained everyone he met during his relatively "short dash" through life. Let it always be remembered, "For Johnny to live in the hearts he left behind, is not to die."

The family invites friends to celebrate Johnny's life by gathering and reminiscing from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at 4 Cedar Point Drive, Hampton.

Memorial gifts may be made in memory of Mr. John Canepa to The Mariners' Museum, Office of Development, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Va. 23606-3759.

Published in the Daily Press on 4/30/1998.