John Charles Canessa passed away on September 30, 2023, at the age of 70. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother who enjoyed fast cars, big ideas, and good food. John spent his life learning everything he could, helping everyone he met, loving his family and friends, and experiencing all that life had to offer.
John was a visionary who always dreamed of making the world a better place through technology. He was passionate about software engineering and invented many technologies we all take for granted today. He also ran a well-regarded blog where he shared his insights and opinions, with a focus on helping others learn about crafting software. John loved to travel and explore new cultures and cuisines. He was an avid reader of all things non-fiction and was always reading (and writing in) at least one book. He had a great sense of humor and was generous to a fault.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Giuseppe and Graciela Canessa and his sister Teresa. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carmen; his sons, Giancarlo and Gino; his granddaughters, Gabrielle and Natalie; his grandsons, Marco, Leo, Gianni, and Enzo; his sisters, Cecilia and Dora; many extended family and friends; and the stories, software, and recipes he created and shared. A celebration of life will be held at Mendakota Country Club on November 5, 2023, from 3-6 pm.
In lieu of any gifts, please consider donating to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research or another cancer research or support organization.