James R. Canavan, 86, passed away on November 22, 2022 in the Wilmington Hospital. Jim was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Regis and Betty Canavan. Upon graduation from Clearfield High School in 1954, he enlisted in the US Navy.
Jim was trained to be a Navy Meteorologist and served on three different ships during his four year tour of duty. One ship, The USS Glacier AGB4, an ice breaker, took him on his first trip to Antarctica in 1956. After the six month excursion, Jim volunteered to join the wintering-over contingent at Cape Hallett from November 1956 to February 1958. This fourteen man outpost collected various scientific data for the International Geophysical Year ‘57-‘58.
When his enlistment was up, Jim enrolled in Penn State University receiving a BA in 1961 and an MA in History in 1962. After receiving his MA, Jim began his thirty-five year high school teaching career in State College, Pennsylvania. In 1967 Jim moved to Delaware to teach History, first at Brandywine High School (1967-69) and then, became part of the faculty at Concord High School teaching History and Economics (1969-97).
After retiring from public high school teaching, he created and taught a “weather” course at The University of Delaware’s Academy of Life Long Learning for four years.
In 1985 Jim married Lynne Young-another educator-who also enjoyed the raising, training and showing of Shetland Sheepdogs in various forms of competition.
Jim was predeceased by his younger sister, Jackie, in 2007. His brother, Dr. Michael Canavan, his wife, Connie, and his three children of Danville, Virginia are his only surviving family members beside his wife.
No services are planned. Remembrances may be made to Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mill, NJ 08015 https://demanddeborah.org
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
