Joseph Cannonie

Joseph "Joe" Cannonie Jr. was born January 11, 1932 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Joseph Cannonie Sr. and Viola Farina Cannonie. He departed this life on January 17, 2022, peacefully at his home in Eldon, Oklahoma at the age of 89 years-old fulfilling his desires of the last year to make it to his 89th birthday and to reach his reward on soil he owned.
Joe spent his early years working for his father at their family gas station and garage. He then took up carpentry before settling on the Tool and Die trade. Although he worked at many manufacturing plants in New Jersey, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, the place he most associated with his work life was the NuPar Division of Baldor Electric Company in Tiawah, Oklahoma. This was true even after his retirement and it brought him joy to spend time with his former colleagues and friends whenever he could.
When he wasn't working at NuPar or on his many, many projects; he enjoyed riding his horse Belle, hunting at his farm, and trying to fit every tacklebox he owned onto his boat for fishing trips at the lake. Joe was always happy to see his friends and never met a stranger. Those that knew him will recall his many stories and jokes, which always delighted those listening.
Joe was extremely proud of his military service. He joined the New Jersey National Guard 50th Armored Division Reconnaissance D Company at the age of 16 years old to enlist with his older high school friends. Joe was in the 50th Armored for four years and was honorably discharged as Staff Sargent to attend college. However, before classes could begin, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. The fact of which, was a sensitive topic to him and a regular conversation topic both his sons would use to pester him with the rest of his life.
While in the Army, Joe was stationed at Camp Pickett, Virginia for Basic Training, then to Fort Knox, Kentucky for Armor Training. He then remained at Fort Knox an extra 10 weeks to train one final group. Joe was then sent to Fort Hood, Texas before his final service at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas
At Camp Chaffee, he was assigned to the Division Training Battalion. He helped with Basic Training but spent most of his time instructing bayonet and hand-to-hand combat. He was honorably discharged Private First-Class Light Infantry Instructor in 1955.
While at Camp Chaffee he met his first wife and mother to his oldest two children, Mike and Renee. After he moved to Oklahoma a friend, he eventually came to call his brother helped introduce him to Ada Applegate, his wife and companion for the rest of his life. After they were married, he had his third child, Ryan.
He was preceded in death by his mother Viola Cannonie and father and stepmother Joseph and Minnie Cannonie and an uncle Matteo "Matt" Damiano of Monroe Township, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife Ada, sons Michael Cannonie and his wife Marsha of Allen, Texas, Ryan Cannonie of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and daughter Rene Osborne and her husband Buster of Mountainburg, Arkansas. As well as his grandchildren, Crystal Stanard of Alma, Arkansas and grandson Michael Standard of Mountainburg, Arkansas and their children, his great granddaughters, Gracie Standard of Mountainburg, Arkansas, and Evelyn Standard of Alma, Arkansas. Joe is also survived by his sister Adele Cannonie of Clark, New Jersey, half-brother Greg Cannonie and half-sister Debbie Cannonie of Woodbridge, New Jersey, special friend Roger Morton of Stilwell, Oklahoma, and his chosen brother Sonny Price of Stilwell, Oklahoma as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Joe touched many lives during his 89 years on this Earth and will be greatly missed.