Father Lawrence Canavera

Father Canavera was born in Niagara, Wis., on Jan. 4, 1939, to parents Joseph J. and Elaine (Watt) Canavera. He attended Niagara High School. He received a M.A. in philosophy on a Basselin Scholarship from Catholic University of America in 1963. In 1967, he received his M.A. in theology also from Catholic University of America. On May 27, 1967, Father Canavera was ordained a priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral by Bishop John Grellinger.

He began his ministry as assistant at Immaculate Conception Parish in Florence, Wis., for his first summer. He then served on faculty at Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida until 1976. During this time, Father Canavera earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Catholic University of America (1970), also completing a doctor of ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary (1981). Father Canavera served on the Priest Personnel Board in 1971 and then as chairman in 1972. In 1976, he began full-time work for the Diocesan Office of Planning and Services and later as the director of Parish Council Service and Development Office. In 1979, he served on the advisory board to the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.

In 1991, he was appointed pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Green Bay, Wis. where he served for 15 years. During this time, he also served on the Advisory Board for Parish Directors until 1998. In 2006 he was named Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Menasha, Wis. as well as St. John and St. Mary Parishes in Menasha. In 2010, Father Canavera was appointed Parochial Vicar at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Little Chute, where he served until receiving senior status in 2012.

He loved the outdoors and spent many happy and hard-working hours managing the “farm,” his homestead property. Deer hunting with family was always a special experience. He managed to get his property into a land trust through The Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. Protecting his woods from development was a major goal. He also loved fishing, for years he made annual fishing trips to Canada, at first with his dad and brother and later with groups of priest friends. He loved dogs, had many German Shepherds in his life that adored him!!

Relaxing with trips to Door County and Algoma were always special times for him.

In the last years going for rides to enjoy the special waters we have around us, the Bay of Green Bay, Lake Michigan and the Fox River have been regular (many times a week) and special outings usually including ice cream. They usually ended up in a loop through a local property to see how many deer we could find.

He is survived by one brother, Clifford G. Canavera of Brandenburg, Ky.; six nieces and nephews, Joseph Liebau, James Liebau, Mary Liebau, Susan (Timothy) Whitestone, Megan (Charles) Bies and Kyle (Marcela) Canavera; and 12 great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph John and Elaine Rose (Watt) Canavera; his sister and brother-in-law, Barbra (Gary) Liebau; and one niece, Catherine Liebau.

He was a dedicated priest who always put the people in his care in first place in his life. He is passionate about people in need. He regularly preached about the need to love and care for everyone. He encouraged others to get involved. He helped many get into parish ministries. “God loves all” was one of his favorite concepts to live and teach. His personal caring for each person he meets has won him many friendships throughout his life. He will be missed by many.

He was the devoted founder of the local Friends of Haiti, established in 2000. He remained actively engaged in its mission, fostering compassionate outreach and sustainable support for the people of Haiti. His dedication to ministry exemplified a lifelong commitment to the pastoral care of all people.

Visitation will be held at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Green Bay, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 3 until 7 p.m., with a concluding prayer service at 7 p.m. led by Sister Helen Keyzer, Pastoral Ministry, St. Philip Parish.

Visitation will continue at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 312 Victoria St., Green Bay, on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 9 until 10:30 a.m., with a tribute at 10:45 a.m. The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, will begin at 11 a.m. with Very Rev. Michael Ingold, Regional Vicar, as Celebrant and Rev. Robert Kabat as homilist. Burial will be at a later date in Niagara at the Niagara Cemetery. To view the funeral Mass on Thursday, please go to the Proko-Wall Facebook page.

A special thank you goes out to the care givers at St. Paul Manor, for the wonderful loving care they provided for him. In lieu of floral expressions please direct any memorials to: Friends of Haiti, or directly to any other organization supporting the poor.