Alvaro Perez Cano

Alvaro Perez Cano, 86, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away surrounded by his wife and children on January 16, 2014 in Hanford, California.

Alvaro was born in Millet, Texas on February 17, 1927 to his parents; Leandro and Santos Perez Cano.

On June 11, 1955, he married Genevieve Perez and they were blessed with 13 children.

Alvaro was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jose. He is also preceded in death by two daughters, Adelita and Angelita.

He is survived by his wife of 58 ½ years, Genevieve and his sons, Leandro (Debra Ann), Alvaro (Brenda), Gabe (Olga), Stephen (Nina), Christopher, Albert (Michelle) and John (Cynthia) Cano and his daughters, Santos Bailey (Troy), Angie Campa, Mary Lindsay (Scott) and Genevieve Rangel (Val). He leaves a legacy of 35 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by four brothers, John, Albert, Leandro and Efrain and four sisters, Julia, Benita, Olivia, and Minerva.

Alvaro was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. He was the center of his family and had a passion for life. He was well-respected and revered by his family. He was a spiritual man, believing strongly in God. He said his prayers every night and gave praise for every blessing as a gift from God. Even though he was forced to leave school in the first grade to help support his family, he strongly believed in education. He was very proud of the fact that each and every one of his children graduated from college. He worked many jobs, doing whatever was necessary to care for his family. Throughout his life he worked as a migrant farm worker, in the mines, as a ditch digger, farmed and worked for Hanford High School as a gardener for many years. Always mindful of the cost of caring for a large family he maintained a walnut orchard and fruit trees as well as an extensive garden which provided fresh fruit and vegetables for the family. Any and all free time was spent with his wife Genevieve, of whom he was very protective, and his children and grandchildren. He loved to play the harmonica, riding horses, boxing, jogging and telling stories of his youth. He loved wearing his Stetson hats and cowboy boots and could always be seen with a big smile and a bag of candies for his grandchildren.

He will be missed by his grandchildren, Christopher Bailey, Ann Marie Cano, Leandro Cano, Greg Oaks, Kevin Cano, Mahalia Cano, Gabe Cano, Joshua Cano, Carlos Campa, Genevieve Campa, Alec Cano, Aaron Cano, Emily Lindsay, Nick Lindsay, Christopher Cano, Alexis Cano, Ashley Thomas, Joseph Cano, Destiny Cano, Savannah Cano, Ashlee Cano, Darian Hicks, Nika Cano, Kyrra Cano, Liam Cano, Val Rangel, Vincent Rangel, Justin Rangel, Jacob Rangel, Brandon Rangel, Haley Rangel and his great-grandchildren, Ryu Cano, Jayden Cano, Emery Thomas, and Noah Thomas.

No one was more devoted to Alvaro then his faithful wife Genevieve who nursed him through almost ten years of Parkinson’s disease. Genevieve considered it an honor to care for her husband and diligently watched over him. She gave all that she could to keep him with us but the Lord called him home after a job well done.

We would like to thank Dr. Nagavali and Dr. Wick for their compassionate and dedicated care, the staff at Hanford Adventist Health and the many people who provided support to our Mother and Father throughout this period.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at People’s Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230. A Mass of Christian Burial Will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Catholic Church; 1000 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230 with a Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery; 11680 S. 10th Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230.