Thomas Cannon, 79 philanthropist

RICHMOND (AP) — Thomas Cannon, a retired postal worker and self-described “poor man’s philanthropist,” died July 2 of colon cancer. He was 79.

Mr. Cannon lived like a pauper for years so he could give away more than $156,000, mostly in $1,000 checks. Those inspired by his actions in turn set up a trust fund about 10 years ago that helped him buy a home and paid his living expenses.

His philanthropy garnered international attention, and in 1998, talk-show mogul Oprah Winfrey gave him the computer he had dreamed of owning and inducted him into her “Angel Network.”

Mr. Cannon, whose father died when he was 3, left school after the seventh grade to support his family. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he enrolled in the eighth grade.

At the encouragement of a teacher, Mr. Cannon earned his high school equivalency diploma, then went on to graduate from Hampton University in 1954.

He worked in Richmond as a school art consultant and then was hired by the U.S. Postal Service in 1957.

In 1972, at the age of 47, Mr. Cannon gave his first donation to the Westhampton Junior Woman’s Club, honoring the group for its volunteer work with an urban elementary school.

Often, the recipients were subjects of newspaper articles who showed kindness or bravery or who had suffered a loss. On other occasions, he gave to charities and religious and educational institutions.

Once, he gave $1,000 to local crime-victim advocate Alicia Rasin, the founder of Citizens Against Crime.

“A couple of years ago, he said: ’Alicia, you do so much to help so many people, but now, just take a break,’” Miss Rasin told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “He surprised me with $1,000 and said: ’Go.’”

Miss Rasin spent the money on a much-needed vacation.

Mr. Cannon managed his philanthropy on a salary that never topped $20,000 and supported himself, his wife, Princetta, and their two sons.

After retiring from the Postal Service in 1983, Mr. Cannon and his wife lived in virtual poverty on his pension.

“We lived simply so we could give money away,” Mr. Cannon told the Times-Dispatch earlier this year.

A newspaper story about the Cannons’ situation in 1995 prompted an outpouring of support, and a trust fund set up for the couple helped purchase a brick ranch-style home near a city park.

“I treasure it more than I would treasure Buckingham Palace or the Taj Mahal because it’s a monument to love,” he said after moving in. “The love is from the public who contributed to my acquisition of this house.”

Mr. Cannon last year published his biography, “Poor Man’s Philanthropist: The Thomas Cannon Story,” and hoped he could inspire others to be generous.

“We’re supposed to love God and to love like God,” he said earlier this year, “and we choose every day how we’ll do that.”

Mrs. Cannon died in 2000. Survivors include his two sons, Thomas “T.C.” Cannon Jr. of Varina and Calvin M. Cannon of Opelika, Ala., and 11 grandchildren.