Trudy Cannon, Remembered
by Steve Rogers
New York: Known to the National Academy and the television community as Trudy Wilson, or simply Trudy, the former, long-time National Awards Director and wife of the former president, John Cannon, Trudy Wilson Cannon passed away on May 28th, following a lengthy illness.
A former model, aspiring singer, graduate of the Cordon Bleu in Paris and cook book author, Trudy found her life’s work at home with her two children and then alongside her husband at the National Academy. She came to the organization during the period of conflict between the National Academy and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which eventually culminated in a Settlement Agreement formalizing the split between the two organizations in June of 1977.
In the midst of that litigation, newly elected President John Cannon, was faced with the problem of frozen assets, leaving him without a budget or a staff. Trudy joined the staff, or rather became the staff, as an unpaid volunteer. She helped NATAS weather the storm, and eventually became the National Awards Director, a post she held until June of 2002, one year after the death of John Cannon.
Following her departure from NATAS, Trudy stayed interested and active in the work of the Academy and the legacy of her husband. Trudy stopped by the office almost weekly, to cheer on her former staff and to offer advice and suggestions to the new administration. She also helped promote the John Cannon Memorial Scholarship, a yearly prize of $40,000 awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates an aptitude in the communications field, with an intent to follow a career in the television industry. She sought to organize and remaster the hundreds of hours of interviews John had conducted for years on NBC’s Monitor, and organized his vast book collection for installation in Marist College’s new library, in a wing named for the late President.
On June 3rd at the Scholarship Awards Presentation, in San Antonio, Texas, Connie Cannon, daughter of John and Trudy, accepted an honorary Emmy award from President Peter O. Price, in special recognition of Trudy's contribution to the Academy. The Emmy statue band read: THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES Honors GERTRUDE "TRUDY" CANNON - For a lifetime of extraordinary contributions to the stature of the Academy in the television industry. Presented by the Trustees of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Following Trudy’s funeral mass at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills, Queens, a reception was held in the Roxy Room at Radio City Music Hall. Attendees shared their Trudy stories, of which there are an endless supply. Below please read through some personal reflections of Trudy, written by family, friends and colleagues. If you’d like to add your thoughts please send them on to Brent Stanton, Chapters Director at BStanton@EmmyOnline.TV.
