David A. "Dave" Cannon Obituary

David "Dave" Cannon, 68 of Narragansett, was born in 1951 in Denver, Colorado, and moved to Rhode Island early in life. Dave is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Joseph E. Cannon (born in Providence) and Mary L. Greenagle (from California).

Dave grew up in Rhode Island graduating from Lasalle Academy in 1969 and Providence College in 1973. He later graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1978.

Among his many professional accomplishments, Dave served as Chief Law Clerk for Rhode Island Superior Court, Special Assistant to the General Treasurer of Rhode Island, and Administrator of Providence Housing Court. He was especially proud to have served as a Public Defender for 20 years in the Rhode Island Public Defender's office. During that time, he was one of architects for Rhode Island's first Adult Drug Court, with the purpose of the Court to aid in the recovery of individuals who were addicted to either drugs, alcohol, or both. He was instrumental in providing clients with an alternative to jail and providing them with opportunities for drug treatment options in more therapeutic environments like residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment programs. In 2004, he was awarded the National Association of Social Workers Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award for Social Worker of the Year. He earned this award by being an advocate to every client met, assisting those with addictions, mental health issues, and those in need of any type of social service. Committed to justice, he stood on the side of the underserved, once writing: "I believe that by respecting and preserving the dignity of the less fortunate that we dignify ourselves."

During one of his summers at the beach, Dave met his future wife, Lee, at Twin Willows in Narragansett in 1974. Dave and Lee enjoyed a beautiful 43 year marriage and together they have three children, David J. Cannon, Kristin M. Cannon, and Matthew B. Cannon. Dave was immensely proud of his family and their accomplishments. He coached their sport teams, supported their dreams, and with his wife, instilled a love of the ocean and respect for all people.

Dave was a historian at heart, a man often immersed in books, craving knowledge about the world. Among his many stories, Dave loved to tell of his time as a pin boy at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club bowling alley during the 1960's. He took pride in sharing stories of his year abroad in Switzerland where he had many adventures across Europe. Dave loved the Grateful Dead, often telling of his stories traveling across the country following great music and good times. He attended Woodstock (Summer of 1969) and Watkins Glen (Summer of 1973), but the details were always fuzzy.

A visitation will be held Friday, June 7, 2019 from 4-7pm with a celebration of Dave's life to follow at 7pm in the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the McAuley House, P.O. Box 73195, Providence, RI 02907-2000, will be appreciated.