MANUEL NEREO CANTU
SAN JUAN - Manuel Nereo Cantu, 80, entered into Eternal Life to be with Jesus on Friday, April 14, 2017, at Amara Hospice in Edinburg.
He was born in San Juan, TX on May 12, 1936 to Cruz ll and Ascension Cantu. Nereo was the oldest sibling of seven brothers and three sisters. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ramona Peña Cantu; his brother, Adolfo Cantu; and a sister, Maruquita Cantu.
Nereo was a lifelong farmer. He worked for over 25 years for Elmore and Stahl Produce as a Field Supervisor. In the early 80’s he founded his own company, Green Gold Produce, a produce growing and shipping company. Along with his oldest son, they grew and sold vegetables throughout the country. His expertise reflected on the quality of produce he grew. He took pride in growing the finest fruits and vegetables in the Rio Grande Valley.
Nereo is survived by his wife, Maria De Leon Cantu; his eight children, Manuel Nereo (Sylvia) Cantu Jr., Marisa (Bruce) Davis, Artisteo “Arty” (Norma) Cantu, Martin “Marty” Cantu, Shay (Laura) Cantu, Ivette Cantu, Mayra Cantu, Dania Cantu; and his sixteen grandchildren.
He is also survived by his five brothers and two sisters; Mario (Olivia) Cantu, Oscar (Josie) Cantu, Cruz (Lala) Cantu, Carlos (Concha) Cantu, Raul (Diana) Cantu, Antonia Pena, Janie (Romeo) Cuellar; and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to San Juan Nursing Home and Amara Hospice for their great care, love and compassion that they provided for our dearly departed father.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at 12 noon, Monday, April 17, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan.