Veteran Information
Date of Birth: 5-May-28
Date of Death: 26-Jun-08
Address: 401 Rye Beach
Branch of Service: U.S. Navy
Description
Tedford Cann was born on May 5th, 1928. He lived at 401 Rye Beach Avenue in Rye, NY with his mother, Margurite, father, Tedford, and brother, Thomas. Tedford’s father was a World War I hero awarded the Congessional Medal of Honor and attended college after the war. He worked very hard to support his family and was a salesman, working 52 weeks a year and earning 4000 dollars. Tedford’s mother stayed home each day and cared for her beloved children. At Rye High School Tedford Jr. was the Class President, on the G.O. Council, participated in school productions. He also was an incredible three-season athlete. Tedford was on the football team, the basketball team, and the track team. During his teenage years, Tedford was known for being very active in school affairs, yet incredibly quiet. In 1946, he graduated at the top of his class. After graduating, Tedford attended Colgate University located in Hamilton, NY where he studied social psychology. Continuing his passion for sports, Tedford swam on Colgate’s swim team and won the Intramural Swimming Championship. In addition, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta, the Newman Club, and the Outing Club. After graduating from Colgate University, Tedford went to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, and the Naval War College. Years later, Tedford proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War.
Molly Burbank & Tatum Dailey
RHS 2021
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Name: Tedford Cann
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 5 May 1928
Death Date: 26 Jun 2008
Branch 1: NAVY
Enlistment Date 1: 30 Sep 1952
Release Date 1: 31 May 1979 COMMANDER, US NAVY
KOREA, VIETNAM
Retired Navy Commander Tedford (Ted) John Cann died June 26, 2008 at a local healthcare facility after a long but courageous battle with MDS. Ted was 80 years old and a long-time resident of Pensacola Beach and Avalon Beach, FL.
Born in Rye, New York, Ted was a 30-year Navy veteran who began his career with aviation training at Pensacola Naval Air Station in 1952. As a jet pilot, he flew with fighter squadrons VF-173 (Jesters) and Hatron Seven. He served on the carriers USS Bennington, Wasp, Intrepid and Enterprise. His tours of duty worldwide included Sanford, Florida, where he scrambled during the Bay of Pigs incident; Yokosuka, Japan, where he flew reconnaissance in the Vietnam War; and Naples, Italy, where he served in the Sixth Fleet/NATO joint operations. Ted was a graduate of Colgate College, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, and the Naval War College.
After retiring from the Navy in 1979, Ted enjoyed a new career as a real estate broker on Pensacola Beach and as a technical writer for Sikorsky Aircraft. During his retirement years he and his wife became avid sailors and members of the Pensacola Navy Yacht Club, where he spent many of his happiest days serving two terms as NYCP Commodore. The NYCP inaugurated the Commodore Tedford Cann trophy to be awarded annually at the Navy Cup races.
Ted is survived by his devoted wife, Lee, his daughter Sheldon and son Ted, stepson Clay Wilson, his brother Tom, and two grandchildren, Seth and Isabel. His family and many friends and fellow sailors loved him dearly and will miss his sense of humor and even keel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Hospice organization.
A memorial service will be held at Pensacola Naval Air Station Chapel on Wednesday, July 2nd, 11:00 a.m. A private burial service will follow Thursday at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Lewis Funeral Home, in Milton, Florida. Friends may send condolences and share fond memories with the family at www. lewisfuneralhomes.net.
Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 6/29/2008.
