Earl Howard Canright, of Bainbridge Island, died peacefully on on Feb. 17. He was 98.

He was born Oct. 20, 1910 in Dixon, Mont., the first of five children born to pioneers Charles Holmes Canright and Edna (Perry) Canright. For lack of water, the family abandoned the homestead and moved back to Wyoming, where Earl and his siblings grew up in Thermopolis.

As a boy, he sold the Denver Post and enjoyed swimming in the hot springs whenever he got a chance. Tired of the snow, he left home at 15 and hitchhiked to southern California, where he lived on the street. He was given a helping hand by policemen and others, and through a variety of odd jobs worked his way up California’s Central Valley. He eventually found steady employment at the Calo Dog Food company in Oakland. In 1930, his family joined him when hard times forced them to move further west.

During World War II, Earl worked as a machinist for Hall Scott in Emeryville, Calif., building engines for a variety of military applications. On May 19, 1942 he married Mildred Seastedt of Turlock, Calif., in Carson City, Nevada; together they had two children.

Wanting to be his own boss, Earl went to barber school and soon thereafter opened his own barber shop. For over 20 years, he owned and operated barber shops in Campbell, San Jose, and Felton, Calif. When asked his occupation, Earl would say he “trimmed the public.”

He was active in his Christian faith, teaching Sunday school and serving as a trustee and usher at churches in Campbell, San Jose and Santa Cruz.

Mildred died of cancer in 1986. Three years later, at age 80, Earl “popped the question” for a second time and married Luella Pope Kearney of Santa Cruz. They lived there until moving to Bainbridge in 2001 to be nearer to both their families.

Luella died in March 2006. Earl continued in reasonably good health until his last month.

He is survived by his children, Joanne (Larry) Bergen of Bainbridge Island and Donald (Sally) Canright of Fall River Mills, Calif.; his brother, Richard (Donna) Canright of Redmond, Ore.; five grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter. He also loved and was loved by Luella’s two granddaughters, great grandchildren and great-great granddaughter.

A memorial service is tentatively planned for 2 p.m. March 14 at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. Please call the church at 842-3098 after March 1 to confirm the time or visit www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com, where there is also an online guest book.

Contributions in remembrance of Earl may be made to the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center.