It is rare to leave a wake with a smile on your face and feeling happy. I did that on Oct. 14 while walking down the steps of Sansone Funeral Home after shaking hands with my friend, Wayne Brooder, Dom Canna’s son-in-law.

As soon as I got in my truck, I read Dom’s prayer card. I keep all prayer cards, and Dom’s said so much, but not enough — thus this letter.

I read under Dom’s name that he was born the day after his dear friend, Tweet Balzano, was born, and their friendship spawned my friendship with the Canna family. Tweet hired Janet, Sandy and Rickey while I was working for him, and that friendship is in its fifth decade.

Every time I saw Dom Canna, he put his hand out first. He put me first. That was Dom Canna.

On Oct. 14, it was his family that put me first, just as they put all who came that night. That was his family.

I had not seen Dom for a while, and I asked how his last years were. I was so happy to hear they were great and that two weeks before he died, he drove to the casino, still living on his own, still driving, still being Dom, still being Dad and Grandpa.

What a way to go out; we should all be so lucky.

Dom Canna. God keep him, enjoy him, and get out of his way!

George Carroll
Warren