Birth date: Oct 15, 1941 Death date: Dec 3, 2025
Reynaldo Libunao Caneda, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and proud Navy veteran, passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family. Born in the Philippines to Esteban and Julia Caneda, surrounded by 11 brothers and s Read Obituary
One of our Dad’s enjoyments was making a Christmas village. In his honor, we made the Christmas village all together like he would have wanted.
Our deepest condolences to the Caneda family. You are in our prayers.
Manong Rey was my neighbor and my friend.
We moved across the street from them in February 2011. When we met we instantly connected. Mg Rey, a fellow retired US Navy and his wife, Mg Solie, e fellow Ilocano. We are practically townsmate. Our town was only separated by one other town.
Mg Rey and I would sit for hours telling ‘sea stories’, particularly aircraft carrier stories. He would boast as the leading machinist/boiler technician he was responsible for providing the steam needed to launch our jets to their mission.
His favorites stories to tell were about his children and grand children. How independent his children with their own families. How fast Julian was growing and he was saving his SUV for her when she goes to college. He said the two boys will be ad tall as he is and they looked just like him.
And he would talk about growing up in Manila near the major colleges. That he was his mom’s and Ate’s favorite. How he took money from the sari-sari store to buy his favorite food. He also took snacks and beer for his barkada. He lamented about their childhood home and how it was lost due to missed upkeep and maintenance. He said one day he would rebuild it to it’s past glory.
Sometimes we would just talk in front of their house and talk without any particular subject. Then one day he was agitated he said his dortor got his driver’s license taken away. He would not tell me why but vowed to sue the doctor. Unfortunately, he never got it back. But missed driving very much. He would start his truck then check everything just to feel the thrill of driving.
One day his truck disappeared. He took it out for drive but never came back. Mg Solie panicked. She started calling around and even called the police. It got dark but he never came home. We drove around the neighborhood but he was nowhere. We regrouped and went to the places he frequented. One after another he was nowhere to be found. We finally found him near a Home Depot store. We were elated but he was more relieved to see us. He said he needed something from Home Depot but when he got their he had forgotten what it was. So he sat in the parking lot until it got dark. By that time he did not know the way home. Still he drove and that is how we found him driving on the wrong side of the road and could not figure out why other drivers were honking their horns and even shouting at him. We brought home distraught and confused.
From that day on he did not come out often. We hardly had time to talk and tell stories anymore. He slowly retreated then his medical issues and advanced age caught up with him. He easily tired and would frequently take breaks when going out to check the mail. We still try to catch up during breaks then he quit coming outside altogether. Also, I started staying in the Philippines longer. At times when we come back and I see him he would ask about my work at Home Depot, a job I had long ago.
When we got the call about he passing, we were driving home from a medical appointment. I cried and sobbed silently while saying a prayer for him.
His watched has ended. Fair winds and following seas, Sailor! Mission accomplished! Sail on now into heaven and unto God’s kingdom.
Farewell, my friend! Until we meet again…
His beautiful smile and love for his family
