Their story
Service doesn't end when the uniform comes off
The son of a Sicilian immigrant, Andy was born in Boston and became a longtime resident of Marshfield. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a member of the Honor and Color Guard.
That service became the start of a lifetime of leadership among his fellow veterans. Andy served four terms as Past Commander of the Marshfield DAV and was Past Commander of the Marshfield American Legion. He was also a member of the AMVETS, the VFW, and the National Trench Rats, and a Charter Member of the Marshfield Elks.
After coming home from the war, Andy started a home-services business and went on to own and operate several small businesses as an entrepreneur and contractor in the communities he lived in. He served his neighbors and hired many fellow disabled veterans along the way. From leading veteran organizations to creating jobs for veterans through his businesses, he understood that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
His generosity reached well beyond his work. Andy supported widows, orphans, widowers, and many veterans in need of jobs, and he was a lifelong supporter of Father Flanagan’s Boys Town. Above all, he was dedicated to loving his granddaughters and great-grandchildren, among them his granddaughter Meghan Douglas Hanson.
Andy’s life was marked by service to his country, devotion to his family, and active involvement in his community. He leaves behind a legacy of leadership, compassion, and strong family ties.
Family
He was the beloved husband of the late Katherine M. (Downey) Cannata, son of the late Sarino and Bertha (Matthews) Cannata, and father of Debra Kimmett and her husband Kevin of Marshfield. Andy was grandfather to Melissa, Meghan, and Jennifer, and great-grandfather to Jimmy, Courtney, Robert, Michael, and Marcus. He was also the brother of Dorothy Mahoney and her husband Tom of Holliston, and of the late John and Robert Cannata. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and two great-granddogs, Joscelyn and Pinto.
Through their fraternal service, both supported widows and orphans. Their spirits will continue their watch over this foundation and all its supporters.
Read the companion tribute: Edmund Roger Hall “Bumpa”
