Richard L. Cann, 68, of Hopewell Township, NJ, died at home, October 6, 2019.
The cause of death was ALS. Born November 26, 1950 in Pasadena, California
he grew up in Denver, Colorado. Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived
by his wife of 35 years, Joanne Sheehan, daughter Caelen Cann, son-in-law Kevin
Callahan; his stepsons, Matthew and Casey Branham and daughters-in-law, Laura
Oliver Branham and Toni Scott Branham, his brother David C. Cann and sister-in-law
Crisann Becker; his sister Susan C. Austin and his grandchildren Lyra Callahan; Aldo,
Olivia and June Branham; Roan and Talon Branham as well as by nieces, nephews
and numerous great nieces and nephews; brother and sisters in-law.
He received a BA in 1972, and a Ph.D. in 1978 from Princeton University. He was
a member of the United States Chess Federation, the American Go Association and
the Recording Industry Associates of America. He was the IT Director for the Atlantic
Trading Company from 2002 until the time of his death. Richard was known for his
passion for music; the game of Go, which he played at a 2 dan level; and his joy in
skiing the black diamond trails of Colorado with his brother. He enjoyed fishing and
hiking on his trips to Colorado. He had 30 years of Sunday morning hard fought
racquetball games with a dear friend. He was a skilled competitor with a generally
superior ability at games of most sorts. His talented musicianship on guitar, violin
and piano was expressed by the musical bands he formed and played with over his
lifetime. He was known for his warmth, kindness, quiet sense of humor and his easy
smile. He had a gift for teaching, whether it was a game, a musical instrument or a
physics theory. He had great love for his family as well as the numerous dogs who
were valued companions throughout his adult life. He is terribly missed.
There will be a memorial service on November 16, 2019 from 1-4 p.m. at the
Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Hopewell Township, NJ. In lieu of flowers, those wishing
to make a memorial donation should direct it to the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open
Space.