Mike A Canez Jr.

“If you ain’t a man of your word then you ain’t shit, if you say that you will be there, then you be there, if you say that you will do something, then you do it”

Mike Canez Jr. was born on October 31, 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona to his parents Miguel (Mike) Canez Sr. and Armida Acevedo Canez. They had 11 children, 6 daughters (Arthemisa, Marylou, Lina, Eva, Josie, & Cruz) and 5 sons, (Mike Jr., Roman, Charlie, Art, & Alex). His father Mike Canez Sr. was a Mason and taught his sons the art of masonry and provided them with the skills they needed to become Master Masons, which many of you have noticed has become a “Canez Family Tradition”.

Mike (Big Mike) went on to become a Foreman at a very young age working for various Masonry Companies, teaching others his knowledge and work ethics of the masonry trade. If you ask anyone who worked for Big Mike, they would tell you that he was very strict and demanded quality & production. And if you didn’t meet his expectations, he would let you know about it, (WTF are you doing, get your head out of your ass) and a few other words that I would rather not mention. Big Mike worked hard, played hard and was always striving to be better and demanded nothing less of his crew. Even though he was strict and demanding, he was fair and at the end of the day, he would pat you on the back and tell you, see you tomorrow or let’s go and have a beer.

Mike became an instructor for the AMCA Apprenticeship Program for approx. 3 years. He taught the first-year students coming into the program the basics of spreading mortar, how to handle a block before you lay it, how to add a head joint plus various other basic moves. He instructed 20 to 30 students at a time with some having no knowledge of the trade and others already knowing the basics. In his eyes there was always something to be learned, whether you knew it or not, but he treated everyone the same. He loved teaching the masonry trade and taught a lot of people throughout his career whom today have become Master Masons, Foremen, Superintendents, and even owners.

Mike retired from the trade in 2007, where he enjoyed being home in his chair watching his Westerns, Price is Right and Family Feud. He loved gambling, especially going to the Casino, buying lottery tickets, and his scratchers. He also liked playing poker with his family (Taking everyone’s quarters) and joining in on the Football Pool during football season. Mike was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, lung cancer 2014, and thyroid cancer 2017. He had been in remission for the last six years but his lung cancer came back and his body was too weak to fight back. He lost his battle with cancer April 21, 2023 at 1:00 pm. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Mike at one time or another touched our hearts. Remember him as he was, a good man, a strict man, a man of his word, and he told it like it was.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavencarrtenney.com for the Canez family.