ANTHONY JOSEPH CANNATA

April 13, 1954 — November 22, 2023
Anthony Joseph Cannata, A.J., a resident of Morgan City, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of November 22, 2023.
A.J. was born April 13, 1954, in New Orleans, LA as the only child of Joseph M. Cannata and Grace M. Cannata. Joe, Grace and A.J. moved to Morgan City when A.J. was a young boy, where he resided for the remainder of his life. A.J. graduated from Morgan City High School in 1972, then went on to receive a B.S. in Construction Management from the College of Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1976. (He bled purple and gold as much as anyone could.) Shortly after graduating from LSU, A.J. moved home to Morgan City and married the love of his life, Linda B. Cannata on January 22, 1977. A.J. briefly worked for Teledyne Movible Offshore, before charting his own path forward. A.J. utilized his Construction Management Degree for several years performing several civil and industrial projects, as well as building many residential homes in the Morgan City area. The economic downturn in the early 1980’s decimated his construction business, which led him to seek out new opportunities. A.J. went back to school to obtain his Real Estate Brokers license and shortly after took over the Grace Cannata Real Estate which was founded by his mother. A.J. ran Grace Cannata Real Estate, along with his sister in-law Deanna Stansbury, for many years to provide for his family but always wanted something more than a small broker could achieve in a small town with limited resources. In 1995 A.J. and his lifelong friend, Greg Guidry, founded Tanks-A-Lot Inc., an oilfield service rental company. This business endeavor would forever change the trajectory of his life as well as the lives of many family members and friends.
A.J. finally found a challenge worthy of the endless amount of energy he had. Armed with only 12 tanks and a hefty bank loan, he hit the ground running and poured his heart and soul into Tanks-A-Lot. His drive and determination transformed Tanks-A-Lot into something that no one could imagine, providing equipment to the oil & gas industry across the globe. Most people can give 100% to something and not have much else to give in other areas, however A.J. somehow gave 100% to his business, 100% to his family, 100% to his friends, 100% to his personal hobbies, and countless other people and endeavors as well. He had a love/hate relationship with technology, however the cell phone truly unshackled him. He could now hit the road chasing business and conducting business along the way. Some of his cell phone bills in the mid 90’s were scary to say the least. If he ran out of business calls to make, he’d make personal calls to friends & family, checking on everyone, planning a fishing trip, hunting trip, golfing trip, or all things related to LSU. A.J. had a knack for connecting people from all walks of life to himself and to each other, he cherished his family and friends and truly loved making memories. A.J. had very few pure business relationships, most of them quickly transformed into lifelong friendships. For those who knew him, any trip with him would be an adventure, sometimes filled with curveballs, but always great memories! One of his accomplishments which he rarely took credit for was creating the Morgan City Open Fishing Rodeo & Golf Tournament, a non-profit organization committed to supporting higher education in our community. Later in life his greatest joy was being Pawpaw to his five grandchildren, they were the light of his life and second to none. For the ones he left behind, of course we feel like he had more life to live and more memories to make, but I would challenge anyone to find another person who got more out of their time on earth. Even though A.J. was an only child, the list of brothers and sisters he left behind is long and distinguished, from Alaska all the way to Trinidad. Rest easy, until we meet again.
A.J. is survived by his spouse, Linda B. Cannata, his sons and their spouses Joey and Jennifer Cannata, Sammy and Natalie Cannata, Grandchildren Giovanna “Gracie Girl” , Lucas (JoJo), Dominick, Dean and Santo (Conchito).
A.J. was preceded in death by his mother and father Joe & Grace Cannata, and grandson Gabrial Cannata.
There will be a Celebration of his life Saturday December 2, 2023.
Visitation:
Twin City Funeral Home 9 am – 12 pm
412 Fourth St.
Morgan City, LA 70380
Rosary:
Twin City Funeral Home 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
412 Fourth St.
Morgan City, LA 70380
Mass:
Sacred Heart Church 1 pm – 2 pm
415 Union St.
Morgan City, LA 70380
Burial:
St. Patricks Cemetery 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Gibson LA
Reception:
Atchafalaya at Idlewild 3:30 pm – until
400 Cotten Rd.
Patterson, LA 70392