Eduardo D. Cantu
Eduardo D. Cantu passed away suddenly on June 29, 2020. Ed would always want to be remembered by his wit and humor that he always bestowed on his friends, but most importantly by his greatest accomplishment in life, his son, Matthew Thomas Cantu.
Edward’s life is a rag to riches tale which began on March 8, 1960 in Alice, Texas. His father, Merced, worked on the railroad and was the strongest man Ed knew. He always compared him to John Henry. His mother, Josefa, worked at keeping the family fed and clothed. Edward was brilliant from the start and learned that education was the way out of poverty. He played football for the fighting Alice Coyotes and made it to regionals which he was very proud of. After high school, he worked his way through The Texas A & M—Kingsville system in Finance. After completion of his degree, he worked various temp jobs in Corpus Christi until he landed a job with Celanese. During his time in Corpus, he became a state qualifier in racquetball, and he played every night at the YMCA with his buddies who have become lifelong friends. Those nights at the Y were some of the best times of his life. They would talk and banter and harass each other until the staff made them leave at closing time. The stories those racquetball walls could tell would make everyone laugh. While working at Celanese, he was transferred to the Bayport plant and became a long-time resident of League City.
The year of the transfer, he also became a father to Matthew Cantu. Once Edward became a father, his life changed forever. He would and has done everything for his son. Matthew is the shining light in his world, and no one is more important than him. He read, I love you Forever By Robert Munsch, a million times to the child who changed his heart and made it swell it bigger than possible. “It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons.” – Johann Friedrich Von Schiller. Matthew and Ed lived together until the very end.
Edward’s love of racquetball took a turn in the 2000s when he picked up a tennis racquet. The Fitness Center at South Shore became his new Y, and his friends that he played with, beat, lost to, and were recipients of his “Vamos” will always remember his love of the game and their friendships. Ed last played with one of his favorite partners, Keith Gross, on Sunday. Keith and Kellie became his second family in the area as well as Dr. Edward Cortez, and he was so appreciative of their friendship as he was with all his tennis buddies.
Edward loved sports and could talk to you about any sport at any time and could tell you everything about who played and when and who was great and who wasn’t. He was a member of the United States Tennis Association and won many tournaments in the area as well as supported many of the fundraising tournaments in the area like the Clear Creek Education Foundation Tournament. He also travelled extensively to view some of the highest profile tournaments on the circuit like Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open), and the US Open. He was always the last one on the plane—even when they had to hold the door for him. So, “Vamos”, friend, until we meet again!
Eduardo is preceded in death by his father and mother, Merced and Josefa Cantu. He is survived by his son, Matthew Thomas Cantu, his oldest sister who was like a mom to him, Elvidia Cantu Flores, sister, Eliza Cantu, and brothers Jesus “Bear” Cantu and Esequiel Cantu. His niece, Annette Masquifelt and her daughter Casey Masquifelt, niece, Tracy Hughes and nephews, Lorenzo Flores Jr., and Michael Garcia.
A visitation will take place on Sunday, July 5 from 1:00-3:00, and a short service will follow at 3:00 by Deacon Andy DeYoung at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main Street, League City, TX.
Due to the COVID 19 public gathering restrictions, Crowder Funeral Home requires all visitors to wear a mask and maintain a social distance of six feet from attendees. Maximum occupancy is 70 guests. Please maintain a social distance during the visitation, while seated in the chapel. Your assistance during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Ed was an amazing force in my life. He was always funny, smart, loyal, and kind. I miss him so much already. Matthew, whatever you need, I am here for you.
Saying goodbye is too difficult, so I will just say, “vaya con Dios and until we meet again.”
Kellie
Vaya Con Dios Amigo – I will miss our matches profoundly. Your friendship meant a lot to me during some difficult times. You touched many lives and you will not be forgotten.
He will be missed dearly. Great guy.
It’s been only three workdays since we have lost Ed. I now realize how much I miss our daily morning chats.
No matter how well or poorly I played during our weekly matches he would always say “Mike you played very well today”.
Heart felt condolences to the family.
So long my friend.
I will truly miss Ed especially his kind heart and his humor on the tennis court. I know how much he loved his son, Matthew, as he always talked about him in such loving terms. Rest In Peace Eduardo!!!
Great knowing you and playing tennis with you in the Brookstennis league! Win or lose, it was great just playing and talking! Sorry to lose friends like you so soon. With sincere condolences to your family, Subra.
I will always remember Ed as a fierce racquetball competitor who beat me as much as I beat him. But we never let our desire to win overshadow the admiration we had for each other as sportsmen. After cooling down, it was fun and laughter until the next match. RIP Ed.
Bill Cooke
Eliza and Michael
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept our sincere condolences.
With warm hugs,
The Maheras Family
Eliza y Michael
Nuestro más sentido pésame
Con mucho amor
Eric y Sofia Michelson
I will miss you Ed. You were a presence in the tennis community. I loved hearing your response to Jim hitting a good shot!
Ed. you are a good friend and I always enjoyed our discussions. Rest in peace.
You raised a good son.
We will all miss Ed’s optimism and enthusiasm. We also will miss our Board of Directors Meetings which Ed led after drills on Wednesday nights for years. See you again my friend!!
Though I only knew Ed for a couple of years, I enjoyed and appreciated his conversation and memories of Corpus Christi, from where I was born and Ed knew well. Go Coyotes!! until we see each other again, bye Ed.
Ed and I played in several matches together over the years and won a few tournaments too. Since I moved away 4 years ago we connected every couple weeks and he came to Jacksonville to play in a few matches a couple years ago. Everyone we knew would remember our tennis nicknames Ed was thunder and I lightning. I will miss you dearly buddy. Save me a spot for our eternity matches.
My sincere condolences to the Cantu family my cousin Edward may you RIP I’ll remember you as a young boy when we lived thru Buffalo St. always very quiet.
My condolences to all my cousins
Elvidia
Eliza
Jesus
Eziquiel
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
our deepest condolences the Lord Our God comfort you at this time from the Soto’s and Garza family in California
I will forever miss you my uncle !! My heart is broken . Till we meet again 🙏🙏 I love you so much
Wow, I cant believe what I am reading…..Rest my cousin and may God’s will always send you to watch over us all….Gina Soto Wichita Kansas
I have not seen Edward or talked with him in over thirty years…. but he was always a bright, cheerful, funny and encouraging part of my life at Alice High school… all those years ago. I have always remembered him so fondly and have many heartfelt memories of our friendship then. I was heartbroken to hear of his passing. It sounds as he had an amazing life after we both left Alice. My prayers and condolences to his son and his family. I had always hoped to have seen him again to catch up and laugh at old times….. but that is not to be…. Until we do meet again my dear old friend…. Rest in Peace.
Great tennis player and full of fun. We will miss him.
Laurie & Will VanArsdale
Ed, you are a light and appreciate your friendship since my family moved to Texas. I will miss seeing you at the club and our conversations. I always parted with a smile. Vaya Con Dios Amigo!
Russell and I met Ed over a year and a half ago at South shore during Monday night tennis clinic. It felt like I had known him forever and come to find out, he grew up in Alice and I grew up in a small town close to there. I had even spent many years in Corpus Christi before moving to Houston. We used to talk about South Texas a lot. We seemed to run into him frequently at HEB and racquetpro and it became a running joke between us all. He loved to yell out “Ruusssseeellll” when he would see us and one of the only ones that nicknamed him “Russ”. We are so glad that we had a chance to know him and we will miss him dearly. Rest In Peace and we will never forget you.
Carolina and Russell Montgomery
Ed, I miss you so much already. With your easy smile and friendly demeanor, it was always a joy to see you both on and off the court.
Rest in peace my friend.
Kraig Robson
Sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. Although a new-be (2 years) at Anvil he came in with passion and a positive attitude. His Anvil family will miss him.