Shakir L. Cannon

June 7, 1983 - December 5, 2017

Shakir Lateef Cannon, 34, died suddenly Tuesday, December 5th due to complications of Sickle Cell disease. He was the son of Joseph and Cheryl Cannon. Shakir was employed by the NYS Department of Health as an Information Technology Specialist 2. Shakir Cannon was a husband, father, son and outstanding community leader. He loved his family and his work was inspired by his desire to be with his family for the rest of his life. Something that he desired for not just himself but for all other alike. In addition, Shakir Cannon was a Civic Health Leader and Co-Founder of the Minority Coalition for Precision Medicine an emerging organization decimated to the disbursement of health information literary. Shakir was an internationally recognized Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) advocate and patient who dedicated his life to educating the medical community about SCD both as a public speaker and patient advocate. HIs lifelong battle with SCD was often times debilitating and unfortunately devastating. Shakir through his experience and ultimately with his life, he has demonstrated the important of SCD and the demand for scientific research, education and ground breaking treatment that eradicate SCD. Shakir leaves his loving memory to his wife Chau Duong Cannon, daughter Kira Cannon, Mother, Father, brother Niikai (Jennifer) Cannon, nephews Khalid and Kiacen, Father-in-law Uoc Duong, five brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, god parents Grance Cannon and Wayne Bailey, great aunt Estelle Cooper and a host of relatives and friends. Shakir was a strong Christian who espoused the values of honest, compassion, perseverance, and faith. He always spoke with truth, passion, and love and could be counted on to offer candid advice and share pearls of wisdom. He was the matriarch of the family and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 10:00 am at The Church of St. Mary's at Clinton Heights. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family Friday 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. The Rite of Committal will be held in Memory Gardens, immediately following the Mass.