Jose E. Canales

October 17, 1925 – September 4, 2021

Jose E. Canales, 95, was born into eternal rest and joined our Lord in His Heavenly Kingdom on Saturday, September 4, 2021, surrounded by his beloved family at the hour of his death.

Pepe, as he was affectionately known, was born in Agualeguas, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. At the age of 21, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Detroit, Michigan. For the next 10 years he would travel between the United States and Mexico to visit his widowed mother.

It was during one of those trips the he got engaged to the love of his life, Alma Alicia Chapa Molina from Parás, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Upon marriage, they settled in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. For the next 7 years, Pepe would leave his wife and young children in Mexico while he returned to his work in Michigan as an Iron Construction Worker.

In 1958, Pepe became a father when Jose E. Canales, Jr., was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamps. Pepito as he was nicknamed, was not alone for too long. Soon after, two lovely girls came along to join the Canales’ family. Maria Concepcion “Conchita”, eldest daughter was born followed by the 3^rd child, Nancy.

In 1965, his wife and 3 young children, Pepito, Conchita, and Nancy, moved to Detroit, Michigan. In the following years, Sandra, Jaime, and Alma Nelly were born in Illinois and Michigan. Finally, in the 1970s, the youngest, Brenda and Roel were born in Texas.

Pepe and Alma celebrated their 62^nd wedding anniversary on January 19, 2021.

Pepe worked as a high-rise Iron Construction Worker for over 40 years. He retired at the age of 62. He was a hard worker, devoted, loving family man. He lived for his family and his beloved wife, Alma. He did everything he could to provide for his family and always instilled in his children the importance of a higher education.

He also enjoyed spending time at his Ranchito “Las Conchitas” and his house in Parás, Nuevo Leon. He loved to raise cattle, built his own corrals and always had a project going on at Las Conchitas. He was a very handy man. Pepe and Alma would drive almost every weekend to Parás, Nuevo Leon on their own until he reached the age of 89. Pepe had an impeccable memory and loved to share detailed stories with his children and grandchildren. He did so with his unique sense of humor.

He is preceded in his death by his parents, Marcelo Canales and Concepcion Loretto Canales; his firstborn, Jose E. Canales, Jr.; his brothers, Agoberto Canales, Juan Francisco Canales, Marcelo Canales, Eladio Canales, and Jose Antonio Canales; nephews Jesus Mario Canales, Francisco Javier Canales, Jose Oscar Canales, Guadalupe Canales, and Jose Marcelo.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 62 years, Alma A. Canales; children, Jose E. Canales, Jr.+ (Mirella), Maria Concepcion (Miguel Angel) Banda, Nancy (Jose Argelio) Flores, Sandra Alicia (David) Bacerott, Jaime Alberto (Raquel) Canales, Alma Nelly Canales, Brenda (Cyrus) Rea, and Roel (Clarissa) Canales. He is also survived by his 22 grandchildren, Roxana Mirella Canales Hinojosa, Christian Ivonne Canales Hinojosa (Juan Carlos), Jensine Michelle Canales Hinojosa, Jose Eduardo Canales Hinojosa, Jeff Michael Banda, Paul Jeffrey Banda, Jose Albano Flores, Nancy Flores, Alan Flores, David Bacerott, Derek Andrew Bacerott, Sydney Javari Bacerott, Jazmine Vanessa Bacerott, Victoria Danae Canales, Alex Barrera, Janelli Barrera, Brittany Sky Rea, Luke Rea, Ivanna Rea, Joaquin Roel Canales, Sofia Jimena Canales, and Diego Armando Canales; 2 great-grandchildren, Camila Perez Canales, and Juan Carlos Perez Canales, numerous nieces nephews other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank Pepe’s physicians and compadres, Drs. Arturo and Laura Garza-Gongora, for their love and friendship and years of caring and medical attention to our father. He was blessed to be in such good hands.

The family will hold a memorial mass to celebrate his life on Friday, September 10, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Laredo, Texas.

You may express your condolences to the family on our website at www.hillsidefuneral.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041.