Rafael " Chato" Cano, Jr.

Rafael "Chato" Cano, Jr., 67 of Abilene, passed away at a local medical center on December 16, 2009. A service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Friday, December 18, 2009 at the Piersall Chapel, 733 Butternut St with Pastor David Gomez presiding. A visitation will be held at the funeral home today, Thursday December 17, 2009 from 6-7 pm with a prayer service following from 7-8 pm.

Rafael was born on October 27, 1942 in Juarez, Mexico to Rafael and Rosa Cano. He grew up in the El Paso area and graduated from high school there as well as received a two year degree in bookkeeping. Rafael married Lilia Perez on May 17, 1962 in El Paso. He was a Bus Driver for 20 years with Trailway and then Greyhound. Rafael and Lilia moved to Big Spring, TX where they lived from 1985-1990. In 1990 they moved from Big Spring to Abilene where he and his family opened Cano's Cocina which they operated for 10 years.

Rafael is survived by his wife Lilia, his five children Rafael Cano III and wife Christina, Ricardo Cano and wife Leticia, Rosa Arsiaga and husband Sammy, Rebecca Gonzalez and husband Ignacio Hernandez, and Ruth Cano, as well as a grandchild that he and Lilia raised; Crystal Ramirez and husband Lee; and 15 grandchildren, Lilia Sandate and husband Ivan, Amanda Hernandez, Sammy Arsiaga, Jr., Daniel Arsiaga, Matthew Arsiaga, Freddy Rodriguez, Emanuel Hernandez, Angela Damian, Jaime Guajardo, Roberta Rodriguez, Ricardo Cano, Jr., Symone Cano, Robert Cano, Ruth Amador, and Ralph Amador, 3 great-grandchildren, Isela, Yasmin, and Gabriela Sandate, as well as 7 additional great-grandchildren, a sister; Maria Inez Johnson, and sister-in-law; Thelma I. Nunez, as well as two nephews Brian and Adrian Johnson. The family would like to thank Judy Sorrells for the friendship and care that she offered to Rafael and the rest of the family. Rafael was preceded in death by his parents.
Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.