Charles J. Kaniss

Kaniss, Charles J., 88, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at home. He came here in 1925 from his native Henryetta, Oklahoma. He was a 1935 graduate of St. Petersburg High School, 1938 graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College and 1940 graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He was a WWII Army Captain discharged in 1945 having commanded Company F and Company G in the Italian Theatre, serving four campaigns. Transferred to Army reserves. He served in the Florida National Guard and was discharged in 1970 with the rank of Brigadier General. He was received several badges including 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars and 2 Purple Hearts. He owned and operated a family retail Jewelry store from 1945-1967, worked with the City of St. Petersburg from 1968-1976 as Sanitation Administrator, was Assistant to Public Works Director, establishing the first Safety Training Program for Public Works, Director of Dial-A-Ride, created Public Relations Division for Transit System, Supervisor of Elections, Pinellas County, serving for three terms 1976 until retirement in January 1989. He brought electronic balloting to Pinellas County and opened up voter registration in most banks and large corporations. He was First commander of VFW #6827 ? 1946, a member of St. Petersburg Kiwanis Club president 1957, 1946-present, St. Petersburg Lodge 139 F&AM, Scottish Rite and Egypt Temple Shrine, Life Member DeMolay, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He was a volunteer with the South Pinellas county Red Cross serving as president. He was elected to St. Petersburg City Council 1951-1955, Vice Mayor 1954-1955, President of the Downtown Merchant?s Association, Vice President of the St. Petersburg chamber of Commerce, Campaign Chairman of United Way, 1979, United Way President, 1981, Boy Scott Leader, Troop 360, president of Florida Appraiser Association, president of Housing Corp, PAR, served on the Neighborly Senior Services Board and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He has received several awards from various organizations, including the City of St. Petersburg for Meritorious Service, the League of Women Voters, SPJC Outstanding Alumnus Award, Kiwanis Legion of Honor for 50 years of service; Friends of Nursing, Crime Watch Program, NAACP 2 Awards, Pinellas Classroom Association, United Way Human Service Award, Senior Hall of Fame and the Suncoasters SUNNY award. During retirement he was a volunteer for several organizations including, Volunteer coordinator for the Division of Aging Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council in the Representative Payee Program, Christmas Toy Shop Board, Crime Watch Coordinator, Kiwanis club Historian, Over The Hill Gang, St. Petersburg High Reunion Group, 1948-present, Suncoasters, Band Host and Office Volunteer, and was very active in various church committees. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Margery; two daughters, Katherine Prescott, St. Petersburg and Nancy Bevens, Dunwoody, GA; three sons, Alan C. Houston, TX, John C., Tacoma, WA and Richard C., Richardson, TX; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.