Roman Canel

Roman was raised in Indio and often spoke of the loving relationship with his paternal grandparents, Marcelino and Julia Canela. His family relocated to Fresno; where he attended a one room schoolhouse, Roosevelt Grammar School and went on to attend Central High School through the 10th grade.

At the age of 16 years old, Roman worked as a farm hand alongside his father at Lamanuzzi & Pantaleo.

Roman married his sweetheart Matilda on October 21, 1951; they have one daughter and two sons.

Roman served honorably in the United States Army, as a Private First Class, Signal Corp/Communication as a Lineman Repair, from June 27, 1952 to May 7, 1954, during the Korean War.Roman returned home and continued to work along his father's side. As his family grew he decided to relocate to Burbank, where he began working for Lyons Van and Storage contracted through Lockheed. To support his family he also had part time jobs as a janitor at Mary Immaculate Catholic School and a paper route with the Valley Green Sheet.

Roman was devoted to his faith, family and friends. He was a member of Guadalupana Society at the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. He also coached and umpired in his son's little league baseball teams, the Dodgers. He loved his poker and pokeno nights every other weekend. He loved to attend the church hall dances and enjoyed watching everyone having a good time.

In 1975, Roman decided to follow his dream; he relocated back to his hometown Fresno and began a new adventure driving his own diesel trucks, with his sons. The company name was Canel Trucking. He also harvested raisins and raised farm animals on the small Canel family farm.

He was very dedicated to the Church, St. Mary Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church and Sisters Disciples of the Divine Master.

He is survived by his wife Matilda, his daughter and two sons and their spouses; Theresa and Robert, Ruben and Delia, Andrew and Helen, 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.