Sherman Valentino Canaan

After a year long hard fought battle with mesothelioma, Sherman Valentino Canaan, died at home, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, September 15, 2012. Sherman, born on October 25, 1938, was a native Biloxian who could trace his ancestors back to three generations on his father's side and to the Choctaw Indians on his mother's side. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Class of 1956, and served in the U.S. Army and National Guard. As the Canaan family was involved in the seafood industry, Sherman began as a young school boy opening oysters before school and working in the factories during the summer months. In the early years he worked at several factories including West Seafood and Kuljis. In 1985, Sherman formed a partnership with the Gollott family and thus founded Golden Gulf Coast Packing Company, Inc, where he was President from 1985 until his retirement in May, 2006. Sherman was a member of the Biloxi Port Commission from 1992 until 2004 and served as President from 1993-1997. He also served as Vice President of the Point Development Corp. from 1993-1997. Sherman was selected the 2010 Shrimp King for the Blessing of the Fleet. This past July, 2012, the Biloxi City Council honored him by renaming the Lighthouse Fishing Dock the SHERMAN CANAAN BACK BAY FISHING DOCK. Sherman had been a member of many organizations such as the Biloxi Yacht Club, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Biloxi Elks Lodge and the Les Pierrot Carnival Organization, where he served as Captain and King. He was also King of Young Matrons Carnival Organization in 2006 and 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman Walter Canaan and Carrie Seymour Canaan. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Arlene Craft Canaan, sons, Jason Lewis Canaan and Bradley Stephen Canaan, all of Biloxi, Trent Joseph (Christian) Wasilenko of the Woodlands, TX, Danny Earl (Candi) Wasilenko, of Biloxi, MS, and Clayton Alan (Cindy) Wasilenko of Bay St. Louis, MS, brother, Henry Israel (Debbie) Canaan of Biloxi, and a sister, Katherine Canaan Yemma of Disputana, VA. Paw Paw Sherman will be greatly missed by his five granddaughters, Jessica Marie Canaan Dent, Amanda Brook Canaan, Mary Kate Wasilenko, Macy Claire Wasilenko of Biloxi and Syndee Abigail Sawyer of Bay St. Louis, and a great-grandson, Graham Lee Dent of Biloxi. A special thanks and gratitude goes out to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Wayne Hofstetter, Sheryl Murphy MSN, ANP-C, Dr. Carole Norden, Dr. Muskwe, Odyssey Hospice, Kristy Thornhill R.N., Moonie Hudson, aid/tech, Father Greg Barras of St. Michaels and Father Paddy Mockler of Our Lady of Fatima. Sherman will always be remembered as a kind, caring and generous man. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. We are all better people from the way he touched our lives. He will be missed by so many. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 9 am until 11 am, with an 11 am Mass of Christian Burial, all at Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi. Burial will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to St. Michaels Catholic Church Building Fund. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.