Obituary: Reverend Hugh D. Cannon, Suffolk Police Inspector Chaplain, Dies at 78

Died: October 23, 2017

Visitation: Thursday, October 26 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church on 20 Harrison Avenue in East Islip.

Service: Friday, October 27 starting at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church on 20 Harrison Avenue in East Islip.

Obituary: Reverend Hugh D. Cannon, a Suffolk County Police Inspector Chaplain, who passed away on Monday, Oct. 23. He was 78.

Cannon was born in New York, New York on May 20, 1939 to the late Hugh and Mary (O’Donnell) Cannon.

He became a chaplain for the Suffolk County Police Department on May 1, 2013. He also served as Chaplain of the Suffolk County Police Holy Name Society, a fraternal organization for Catholic law enforcement officers.

Cannon was prepared for the priesthood and received a Master of Divinity degree at the St. Louis De Monfort Seminary in Litchfield, Connecticut. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 5, 1966.

From 1968 through 1972, Fr. Cannon served as an Associate Pastor at Infant Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Port Jefferson.

He was next assigned to St. Ignatius Loyola in Hicksville for four years as an Associate Pastor, and then served at St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church in Bohemia from 1977 to 1984.

“Father Cannon provided an invaluable service to the men and women of the Suffolk County Police Department by offering support, guidance and comfort to our officers and their families in times of need,” Suffolk Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini said. “[He] touched the lives of many Suffolk County residents while serving parishes and communities across Long Island and he was truly a blessing to the police department. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

In March 1978, he was incardinated by Bishop John McGann as a diocesan priest for Diocese of Rockville Centre.

In 1984, Cannon was assigned by Bishop McGann as an Associate Pastor at Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church in Bellport and ministered there for five years.

He was named pastor of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Plainview in 1989 and served there until his retirement at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in East Islip.

“Words cannot express the sadness I felt upon hearing first of [Cannon's] passing. I have known [him] for well over 30 years as we met at many of the meetings of the Islip Town Clergy Association. It was in 2013 when he was appointed Chaplain to the Suffolk County Police Department that the two of us became friends," Rabbi Steven Moss, Chief Chaplain of the Suffolk County Police Department, said. "Father Cannon was a very sweet and gentle man. The well-being of his own parish community and the police community held a very special place in his heart. I was always grateful to him, for when I needed a chaplain for a service or an invocation, he was always available and ready."

Cannon was predeceased by his siblings, John Cannon and Mary Dorrian.

He is survived by his brother, Manus Cannon; his sister-in-law of Maria Cannon; his brother-in-law Thomas Dorrian as well as many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Burial will take place at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Bay Shore.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the St. Mary’s Parish Outreach, 20 Harrison Ave., East Islip, NY 11730. Arrangements entrusted to The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home.

Photo courtesy of the Suffolk County Police Department