Norman Lawrence Cannon, 78, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, died peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2015 after a brief bout with cancer. He was born in Kansas City, KS to William Lawrence and Norma Cannon, their only child. While growing up across the state line in Missouri, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was Senior Class President and President of the Student Council at Southwest High School. From there, he attended Harvard University where he was an alum of Eliot House and was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club. He earned his B.A. in economics cum laude in 1959 and went on to earn his M.B.A. in finance at Harvard Business School in 1961.
After Harvard, Norm moved to New York City and held positions in the finance departments at Johns Manville Corp., Westvaco, and at Airco until he joined Harper & Row, Publishers in 1969. There, he served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer until 1987 when he helped negotiate the company’s acquisition by News Corp. He met and married the love of his life, Diane Blanton, in 1964, and after a few years of living in New York City, the couple moved to the suburbs and raised their two daughters in Larchmont, NY.
In 1989, Norm and Diane moved to Shaker Heights, OH where Norm was recruited as Treasurer at Case Western Reserve University. He held this position and enjoyed a membership at The Country Club in Pepper Pike, OH until he retired to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL in 1996.
Norm was a fighter and a leader all his life. He overcame a serious childhood illness to rise to the top of his high school class and to letter in tennis. He went on to a successful career in New York City and was a leader in the Larchmont community. He served on the Board of Directors at the Larchmont Yacht Club, was President of the Larchmont University Club, and served as Junior Warden at Larchmont’s St. John’s Episcopal Church.
While in New York and Shaker Heights, Norm overcame several additional health issues, and then, in his retirement in Ponte Vedra Beach, he served on the boards of BRASS, Focus Cummer, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, Christ Church Foundation, and was President of the Churchmen. He was a member of Sawgrass Country Club, the Tournament Players Club, and the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Norm was an avid golfer, tennis player and bridge player.
Norm was always popular, having been voted “best personality” as far back as high school. People loved his wonderful smile, sparkling eyes, easy-going nature, humor, and his sharp wit and intellect.
Norm is survived by Diane, his wife of 51 years, and by his two daughters: Charlotte, and Catherine Littleton (Robert). He is also survived by six grandchildren: William Hunt, Laura Hunt, Jackson Conner, Dylan Conner, Alexandra Littleton, and Cannon Littleton.
A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, or Christ Church Foundation, 400 San Juan Dr., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082, or World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, 100 Festival Park Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home.
