Miguel Arcangel Canto Arjona

Miguel Arcangel Canto Arjona, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in his home in Lakewood, California, on January 12, 2016.
Miguel was born on October 1, 1925, in the City of Merida, Capital of the State of Yucatan, in the Republic of Mexico. He is preceded in death by his parents Gabriel Canto Castellanos and Epifania Arjona Perera, his brothers Manuel Guadalupe, Carlos Gabriel, Gabriel Francisco and sister Maria Concepcion de San Gabriel.

As a young man in Merida, Miguel attended a prestigious school called Colegio Montejo where he served as an acolyte and altar server at the Santa Iglesia Catedral de San Ildefonso until his marriage. On September 14, 1947, Miguel married Wilma Graciela Rodriguez Peraza and had the first 5 of his 6 children. Miguel studied radio electronic technology by correspondence. About 1957, with the help of his brothers, he immigrated to the United States. In 1960, he was eventually able to immigrate his entire family to Los Angeles where Miguel and Wilma would have their 6th child. In Los Angeles, Miguel received a Diploma for Radio, Television & Industrial Electronics. After many different jobs in radio technology, he eventually established a career with RCA Service Company, in the Hollywood and West Valley branches. He worked as a service technician installing and repairing television antennas and telephone systems and would eventually retire in 1985. In 2005, Miguel proudly became a legal citizen of the United States of America. Throughout his life and in his retirement, Miguel served the Lord dutifully at the Catedral in Merida and at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Hawaiian Gardens.

Miguel is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Wilma Rodriguez de Canto and their children: Maria del Carmen Guangorena, Silvia Josefina Rodriguez, Ana Rosa Villanueva Canto, Miguel Angel Canto, Carlos Manuel Canto, and Raul Canto. Miguel's extraordinary legacy will be forever remembered by his grandchildren: Peter, Jorge, Javier, April, Adolfo, Misty, Letty, Michael, Lindsay, Sara, Alex, Raul, Andres, Angel, Antonio, Yajahaira, Yalithza, Miguel, and Carlos. And his great grandchildren: Cristina, Maritza, Mia, Samantha, Alex, Lauren, Dominyque, Zurina, Amaia, Andi, Jazmine, Antonio, Desiree, Danielle, Ella, Nicholas, Maya, Sofia, Tabetha, Charisma, Michael, Andy, Demitriana, Benicio, Magdalena, Guillermo, Jeremiah, Sophia, and David. And great-great granddaughters: Karina and Nayeli. Miguel will be forever remembered by them along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.

Miguel touched the lives of many people with his wisdom and generosity. He maintained his trademark sense of humor and meticulous storytelling all the way to the end. He instilled in his family the concept of constantly seeking knowledge and the importance of life-long learning. He never failed to pass on his blessings to those who were closest to him, "May God Keep Blessing You".

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Thursday, January 21st, 2016, viewing will be held from 5pm to 7pm and Prayer service from 7pm to 9pm, at Forest Lawn, Cypress, Church of Our Fathers, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, 90630. The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday January 22nd at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 12001 E. 214 Street, Hawaiian Gardens, 90716 with the burial immediately following at All Soul's Catholic Cemetery, 440 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, 90807. A celebration of Miguel's life will immediately follow at Monte Verde Park, 4626 Shadeway Road, Lakewood, 90713.