Candy O'Cane was born unto the O'Canes in 1897 as the 10th and youngest member of the family (See Family Portrait). Mr. and Mrs. O'Cane were a first generation family who sought refuge in America in the mid 1800's after a long hard life in Cologne, Germany where they were sick of just being white shepard hooks who were slaves to the Catholic Church. The O'Canes sought freedom and solidarity; a life of possibility that only the promised land could bring them. Shortly after the birth of their 6th child Sucre O'Cane, they survived the perilous trek to America and were embraced with open arms at Ellis Island where the entire family recieved their stripes.

Candy from the beginning was always known as the "tough one" of the family. When ever there was a job to be done, Candy did it to the best of his ability and with a smile on his face. Candy was very close with his family, and even though he was separated from them after their box was purchased at Valvo's in Silver Creek, NY back in 1987, he knew that they were all destined for bigger and better things than their familial box allowed.

Purchased originally as a Christmas topper to adorn a gift for the newlyweds Arnie and Sue, Candy was excited to start fulfilling his life's purpose of reporting to the world the happenings of the new Woelfel clan. Hung atop their Christmas tree with care, Candy suddenly felt scared and afraid! Alone for the first time it took him years to gather the courage to report his findings. However, one fateful Valentine's Day in 1990, Candy met his arch nemisis and knew he could no longer stay quiet. That nemisis was the Woelfel's new shitzu puppy, Alexander Valentine Woelfel.

From day one Alex made Candy's life a living hell, often chasing him around the linoleum floor and casually licking him on the Christmas tree. After 2 years of pure terror, Candy started reporting his abuse to the world in hope of recieving help. What thankfully followed was an outpouring of love and concern from the Woelfels extended family and friends. For years they supported his will to survive from not only Alex, but later Max and Milo, as well as his many near death experiences which include but were not limited to; melting on the fire place, being thrown out in the trash, sucked up by the vacuum cleaner, eaten by the dog, chopped by the garbage disposal, dragged out by a squirrel, being kidnapped by cousin Kelly and abducted by aliens. 

It was unfortunately this last encounter with the aliens that did Candy O'Cane in for good. His earthly strength was no match for their alien technology. We choose to remember him here, though, as the strong and loving family member that he was for so many years. We hope that you will share your favorite stories with us as we grieve the loss of our beloved Candy O'Cane who seemed nearly invincible.