-Ernie Cannady-

Ah’ll be doggies, it is with great sorrow that Ernie Cannady passed away Friday March 10th surrounded by his loving wife and daughters in his home.

Ernie was raised in Wright City, Oklahoma and grew up in a large family of 8 siblings. O’Dell, Imagene, Sonny, Trudy, Nancy, Nellie, Linda and Brinda. There he hunted squirrel, played high school basketball and tapped his toes to country and gospel.

After he returned from serving our country in Germany during the Vietnam war, Ernie joined his brother O’Dell in Fortuna, California. It was there that he met his wife and love of his life  Nita while working at Quality Cleaners. Over the years he worked at Crown Redwood sawmill, as a City of Rio Dell reserve police officer, City of Rio Dell Public Works Utility Worker until he settled in as the head custodian of Rio Dell Elementary School. Where he also coached and refereed girls basketball. He loved his Rio Dell community so much he ran for and served on the Rio Dell City Council which lead to him serving as the Mayor. During which time the 92’ earthquakes devastated Humboldt County, and he worked closely with FEMA to rebuild his beloved town after the disaster.

For the last 10 years, in conjunction with Dorothy Johnson from DJ’s Burger Bar, Ernie has been running the Wildwood Days Cruise, now called The Ernie Cannady Cruise. They wanted people to enjoy a classic car cruise, with BBQ, and music while supporting the Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department. Each year the turnout for this event got bigger and bigger. The cruise was always the kick off to the annual Wildwood Days. It was a great joy for him.  He continued to run the cruise even though he no longer lived in Rio Dell.  He always considered Rio Dell his community and home.  It was also during this time he followed a life long passion for cooking and he opened Ernie G’s BBQ, which quickly became successful selling delicious tri-tip and ribs, with his secret rub and secret sauce, at the local farmers markets.

After retiring from the Rio Dell Elementary School, Ernie did what he loved more than anything.  He became “Pa Pa” and was started rocking babies.  His oldest grandson was born the year he retired and one by one he cared for his infant grand kids. When one went to preschool the next grand baby was born. He was never happier than sitting rocking a baby while tapping his toes to classic country.

He is survived by his wife Nita Cannady. Daughter Michale and family Jim, Ethan and Emmalee. Daughter Kristie and family Rio, Emmit and Everett. Daughter Darla and family Fisher and Holt, whom he never ceased loving and worked to connect with. Just this summer he united with his grandson Fisher who he held deeply in his heart. He is preceded in death by his father Clyde Truman Cannady, his mother Velma Inez Cannady and his brother Charles Odell Roberts.

To honor Ernie’s deep love of his grandkids the family is asking in lieu of flowers please make a donation in Ernie’s name to the Saint Jude Foundation. If you would like to pay your respects there will be a public viewing at Goble’s Mortuary in Fortuna on Thursday March 17 from 1-5pm. He was full of more life than any other person we’ve ever known, and true to him we will be celebrating his life on Saturday March 18 at the Rio Dell Fire Hall at 1pm. His celebration will open with a service with a potluck after. We invite all those who knew and loved him to come and help us celebrate his 69 years of life.

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The obituary above was submitted by Ernie’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.