John Joseph Caranna

Mr. John Joseph Caranna of Biloxi died Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Biloxi. He was born in Gulfport, MS on January 1, 1920. Mr. Caranna was a member of the First Naval Construction Battalion serving in the Pacific in WWII, but his broad background of experience ranged from teaching and public relations to business ownership and management. He spent twenty-five years in construction -- three years as a safety engineer at the Mississippi Test Facility -- and was often the spokesman in labor relations. The work that he loved most was boating and toy making. John attended Mass faithfully, served on the building committee of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, and played an active role in the Knights of Columbus 9409. He served on several task forces during the Blessey Administration as well as the city electrical licensing board. In addition, he was a poll manager for the city and county elections for more than thirty years. Serving in several elected positions in local organizations, including the presidency of the Gulf Coast Italian-American Cultural Society, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Craftsmen's Guild, and the Biloxi AARP, John was generous with his time. He received a life-time achievement award from the Italian-American Federation of the Southeast. He was a charter member of the Harrison County Triad/S.A.L.T. Council and the Biloxi Italian-American Society. As a member of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, he exhibited his hardwood toys in several states and at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans. Mr. Caranna is preceded in death by his parents, Nunzio and Alfreda Pellegrino Caranna, immigrants from Sicily; brothers, Cono A. Caranna and Anthony J. Caranna; and sisters, Jennie Himes and Bessie Caranna. John is survived by his wife of thirty-five years Patricia Reid Caranna; his children, John Joseph Caranna II of Gulfport, James Philip (Elizabeth) Caranna of Gulfport, Dennis Michael (Jane) Caranna of Brandon, and Cynthia Ann (Tom) Mason of Biloxi, and their mother, Mary Alice Amber Caranna of Raymond. Other survivors include grandchildren, Dominic Caranna and Lisa (Rhett) Brown (and their mother Carolyn Kowalski Caranna), Amber Michelle (Eric) Munden (and her mother Mary Gosa Caranna), and Gregory and Patrick Mason; great-grandson Cooper Shain Brown; twin brother Salvador (Louise) Caranna of Gulfport; and sister Catherine Carrubba of Long Beach. In addition, he is survived by his brothers-in-law, Jerry (Eleanor) Reid of Jayess, Miller (Dorothy) Reid of Jackson, and Donald (Diane) Reid of Monticello along with numerous nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00am Thursday, April 26, 2007 at our Lady of Fatima church where friends may visit two hours before Mass. Interment will follow the service at the Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial gifts to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1228, Biloxi, MS 30533. Pass Road Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements.