Ltc (Ret) Phillip Francis Cannella, Jr.

LTC (RET) Phillip Francis Cannella, Jr. of Midland, GA died peacefully the morning of Monday, December 16, 2024 at The Haven in Columbus in the presence of his loving wife. Funeral Mass will be held 2:30 PM Friday, December 20, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church with Fr. Will Cook officiating. Rosary will be held 5:00 PM Thursday, December 19, 2024 in the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with visitation following until 7:00 PM.

Phillip was born May 6, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY, son of the late Phillip Francis Cannella and Angelina Mutarelli. He was the oldest child of four, talented in music and athletics, excelling at trumpet and football. By the age of 23, he was already married, had his first child, graduated from Presbyterian College and commissioned as an Infantry officer in the United States Army in 1957.

Service to the Army was his life’s work and he had a distinguished career of more than 34 years. LTC Cannella’s service record included tours in Vietnam and Korea. He was an elite member of the Airborne Rangers and Special Forces. He was a celebrated marksman, record setter, appointed to the President’s Hundred, and competed in the Pan-American Games. His service medals include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star and Gold Star, among others.

After his retirement from the Army, Phillip enjoyed a second career in sales for Glock, Inc. He crisscrossed the southeast introducing police departments, sheriff’s offices, and other public safety officials to the advantages of its line of firearms. He then settled into piddling, opening Mija’s Etc. Shop, a collectibles and curiosities boutique with inventory stocked through his love for yard sales, estate auctions, and haggling.

Phillip was a meticulous planner and list maker, a man who strived to dot every I and cross every T with the 7 P’s. He also had a creative flair, hinted at by his doodles and effortlessly flowing script. He had an appreciation of cultures and loved music from around the world. He was thoughtful and generous, giving to a number of philanthropic organizations: his alma mater Presbyterian College, his fraternity Sigma Nu, fraternal Orders of Police, Italian American organizations, local arts organizations – almost anyone who asked. He valued lifelong learning and never hesitated to share a lesson that he had learned the hard way.

Other than his parents, Phillip was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Cannady and his brother, Joseph “Pepe” Cannella.

Survivors include his wife, Mija Cannella of Midland, GA; children, Charlene Gray (Robert) of Fallston, MD, Denise Wardlaw of Powhatan, VA, David Cannella (Valerie) of Madison, AL, Katharine “Kat” Cannella (Robert) of Columbus, GA; grandchildren, David Cannella, Jr. (Alicia) of Gulf Shores, AL, Jessica Taylor (Joshua) of Pelham, AL, William Hosley (Rachel) of Clinton, MD, Robert “Five” Anness V of Columbus, GA, James Francis “Frankie” Anness of Columbus, GA; great-grandchildren Ella Grace Williams of Pelham, AL, Rush Williams of Pelham, AL, Seth Williams of Pelham, AL, Reese Hosley of Clinton MD; and his brother, James Cannella of Norfolk, VA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Military Marksmanship Association at P.O. Box 52025
Fort Moore, GA 31995-2025 or the Springer Opera House, 103 10th St. Columbus GA 31901.