On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, John Aloysius Canning, of Silver Spring, Maryland, devoted husband to his beloved wife for 63 years, Evelyn C. Canning, who predeceased him in 2015. He is survived by his children, Michael, Kevin, Brian, Ann, Margaret, Patrick, Mary and Brendan and their spouses. Grandfather to 21 and great-grandfather to nine, John is also survived by his brother, Ciaran, his many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Ireland and friends of long duration. He died peacefully at the family home. Born October 17, 1923 in Elphin, Co Roscommon, Ireland, he was the oldest of eight. Born a dual citizen, he served in the US Army in Japan from 1946-1947. He graduated from Fordham University, and began a family, raising eight children along with his wife, pursued advanced degrees, receiving his Masters from the University of Maryland and PhD from the University of Florida. John was a principal in the Montgomery County, Maryland Public school system at Pine Crest, Fairland, Farmland schools and was appointed the first Principal of a middle school in Montgomery County-Farquhar. After retiring, John volunteered at the National Archives for 25 years. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 28, from 2 and 4 and 7 and 9 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, Maryland. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, March 1 at 11 a.m. at Saint John the Evangelist at 9700 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland with the burial to follow. A reception will be held at the Rosensteel Hall on site.