Herbert Carton Canapary of Laytonsville, MD died on Saturday, September 2, 2023. He was surrounded by loved ones as he left for his heavenly home.
Herb was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 1,1932 to Alice (Brennan) and Edward Canapary. He graduated from Brooklyn Preparatory in 1950 and Manhattan College in 1954 with a BA in Finance. He went on to earn his MS degree in Finance at Columbia University in 1957.
Growing up in tightly knit "Brownstone Brooklyn", in what he described as, "A great place to live during a wonderful time to be alive", he resided amongst supportive relatives and an abundance of friends. This set the foundation on which he would develop an intense loyalty and devotion to all who were dear to him. These traits proved to be unwavering throughout his life, as demonstrated by his generosity, support of neighbors in need, and his regular "telephone check-ins" with family and friends.
It was in a Brooklyn church dance hall where Herb would meet his future wife, an Irish beauty named Mary Dolan who shared similar values and life perspectives. They would eventually have 4 children together and move from New York to Connecticut before settling in Maryland.
Together with his wife and lifelong best friend and partner , Herb became involved in the establishment of the Lord's Table Soup Kitchen at St. Martin's Church in Gaithersburg where he was a steadfast supporter and regular volunteer—providing financial consultation and support, washing dishes, and even playing the role of Santa Claus-- throughout its 40+ year existence. It was at St. Martin's where he would dedicate his time to teaching religious education to special needs children and serving as a mentor to the Youth Group.
Herb had an affable personality, loved a good (or not-so-good) joke, sang loudly--especially Irish ballads, and delighted in playing host. The Canapary backyard became a central meeting place where all were welcome to enjoy a swim in the pool, a barbeque, a charred hamburger, a poetry reading session, or even a wedding.
Herb served as Vice President and Treasurer at Manhattan Life Insurance Company in New York for 23 years and Vice President of Investments at Union Labor Life Insurance for 22 years. During his esteemed career, he was lauded for his intelligence, ethics, fairness, and innovative approaches to novel problems.
Retirement afforded him opportunities to travel throughout the United States—from Alaska to Bethany Beach to New York and beyond-- as well as to England and Ireland to visit family. He dedicated more time to cultivating stunning backyard topiaries and flower gardens. When travel was deemed impossible by the pandemic, he focused on his "poetry". Through observational writing—sometimes irreverent, oftentimes humorous--he would convey the commendable attributes of people he had admired throughout his life, be it his identical twin brother Edward with whom he shared a 72-year bond, his cherished wife of 62 years, or the pleasant Safeway cashier who always greeted him with a smile.
Herb is survived by his devoted wife and their four children and three grandchildren: Herb was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Alice and Edith and brother Edward Canapary.
Herbert Carton Canapary of Laytonsville, MD died on Saturday, September 2, 2023. He was surrounded by loved ones as he left for his heavenly home.
Herb was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 1,1932 to Alice (Brennan) and Edward Canapary. He graduated from Brooklyn Preparatory in 1950 and Manhattan College in 1954 with a BA in Finance. He went on to earn his MS degree in Finance at Columbia University in 1957.
Growing up in tightly knit "Brownstone Brooklyn", in what he described as, "A great place to live during a wonderful time to be alive", he resided amongst supportive relatives and an abundance of friends. This set the foundation on which he would develop an intense loyalty and devotion to all who were dear to him. These traits proved to be unwavering throughout his life, as demonstrated by his generosity, support of neighbors in need, and his regular "telephone check-ins" with family and friends.
It was in a Brooklyn church dance hall where Herb would meet his future wife, an Irish beauty named Mary Dolan who shared similar values and life perspectives. They would eventually have 4 children together and move from New York to Connecticut before settling in Maryland.
Together with his wife and lifelong best friend and partner , Herb became involved in the establishment of the Lord's Table Soup Kitchen at St. Martin's Church in Gaithersburg where he was a steadfast supporter and regular volunteer—providing financial consultation and support, washing dishes, and even playing the role of Santa Claus-- throughout its 40+ year existence. It was at St. Martin's where he would dedicate his time to teaching religious education to special needs children and serving as a mentor to the Youth Group.
Herb had an affable personality, loved a good (or not-so-good) joke, sang loudly--especially Irish ballads, and delighted in playing host. The Canapary backyard became a central meeting place where all were welcome to enjoy a swim in the pool, a barbeque, a charred hamburger, a poetry reading session, or even a wedding.
Herb served as Vice President and Treasurer at Manhattan Life Insurance Company in New York for 23 years and Vice President of Investments at Union Labor Life Insurance for 22 years. During his esteemed career, he was lauded for his intelligence, ethics, fairness, and innovative approaches to novel problems.
Retirement afforded him opportunities to travel throughout the United States—from Alaska to Bethany Beach to New York and beyond-- as well as to England and Ireland to visit family. He dedicated more time to cultivating stunning backyard topiaries and flower gardens. When travel was deemed impossible by the pandemic, he focused on his "poetry". Through observational writing—sometimes irreverent, oftentimes humorous--he would convey the commendable attributes of people he had admired throughout his life, be it his identical twin brother Edward with whom he shared a 72-year bond, his cherished wife of 62 years, or the pleasant Safeway cashier who always greeted him with a smile.
Herb is survived by his devoted wife and their four children and three grandchildren: Herb was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Alice and Edith and brother Edward Canapary.
