Obituary of Joseph Canali

Joseph Canali 77 of St. Petersburg passed away May 31, 2022. He was born in Rochester NY to Joseph and Edna Mae Canali. He is survived by his loving wife Anne Canali; children Julianne Fries (Jackson, Wyoming), Carl Canali (Seminole FL), Lonny Canali (Largo, FL); grandchildren, Logan Canali, Joe Canali, Michael Canali and Jessica Flint; Great-Grandchildren, Hudson Flint and Regan Flint. Joseph started his career in the St. Petersburg Fire Department in 1966 before transitioning to the Police Department in in 1968. His eagerness to participate in capacities deemed above and beyond the call of duty, won him the respect of his fellow officers and supervisors. Joseph worked in several special units throughout his career, including: Undercover narcotics, Patrol, K-9, TAC, Special Unit - Multijurisdictional Fencing and Recovery Operation, Vice and Intelligence Unit, Field Training Officer and Downtown Deployment Unit. Upon his retirement in 1992 from the St. Petersburg Police Department, Joseph attempted a brief retirement in Camden, SC where he lived for two years employed as a truck driver. However, the thrill of being in the field called him and he returned to St. Petersburg in 1994 where he joined the Pinellas County Sheriff Office. During his 15 year tenure, he again distinguished himself and gained the respect of his peers leading him to receive the Medal of Honor in September 8, 1994, and was awarded the Medal of Valor from the National Sheriff's Association on June 12, 1995. In 2010, at the young age of 66, he retired for the second time.

Visitation will be held at David C. Gross Funeral Home, 6366 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg on Wednesday June 8th from 9:30am - 11:30am.

Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00pm at Blessed Sacrament RC Church in Seminole, with entombment immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery St. Petersburg.