Christan Carter Cannella, a research librarian who grew up in Severna Park, died of a heart attack Oct. 24 at his office at Florida International University in Miami.

The resident of Miramar, Fla., was 39.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Severna Park, he was the son of John Carter Cannella, a developer and architect, and Patricia Dale Roberts, a Baltimore Commission on Aging secretary.

He was a 1995 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Annapolis, where he played varsity soccer and lacrosse.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Towson University and a master's degree in library science from Florida State University.

Mr. Cannella had been a librarian at Johnson & Wales University, and was serving as a hospitality research librarian at Florida International while completing a master's degree in fine arts.

He enjoyed poetry and literature and had published a volume of his poems. He was also an avid chess player and reader.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Isaac Jogues Roman Catholic Church, 9215 Old Harford Road in Parkville, where he had been a member.

Survivors include his wife of nine years, Mariana Medina-Cannella, a producer of film commercials, and a daughter, Zoe Isabella Cannella of Miramar, Fla.; his parents, who live in Carney; a sister, Dana Cannella, also of Carney; and his grandmother, Ruth Ann Cannella of Parkville.

— Jacques Kelly