Dear Cancino Family, 

My name is Jack Ringhand - I was Armando's classmate the Fall of 2022. I did not get to know him extensively, but well enough to witness his authenticity, caring spirit, and passion for life. When reflecting on his spirit, I am heartened by a memory of Armando walking into our Epidemiology class with a new cowboy hat and boots. After class I asked him about his getup. Armando described how he was learning line dancing at The Maverick in Tucson. He did so with a warm sensibility and passion in his voice. I am no line dancer and I was almost persuaded to join him right then and there!

His intrigue and passion - not just for line dancing, but also for oncology medicine - were contagious. I am grateful for his passionate, thoughtful spirit and will miss him in class. His passing is of great loss to my cohort and the future field of oncology medicine. I will continue to think of him, keep you all in my prayers, and maintain a bit more passionate inquiry in my life because of Armando. 

Rest in Peace, Armando. 

Sincerely, 
Jack Ringhand

I watched Armando improve as a leader in the three years we worked together in the Hiking Club at UofA, and seeing as he became the President of the club, many people agreed. Armando had a love for the outdoors that we need more of in this world, and what's even better is that he shared it with so many people.  He was easy-going, kind, and ready to help however he could. He was especially a key player in keeping the club alive during hard times in Covid. His love for nature and positive energy will remain in our hearts.

Happy trails friend.

I first met Armando during our summer cancer internship, where he left a deep impression on all his colleagues. He always pushed us to do better and to try new experiences. I loved how he was always so knowledgeable on various topics, especially about oncology. When you asked him about oncology, he would explain every detail he knew about it.

I always thought we would graduate together with a Master's in Public Health! 

You are deeply missed, Armando! You will always be my role model!

I am so sorry to hear this terrible news.  He took a class from me in fall and was just always so wonderfully upbeat.  What a tragic loss.

You are an Angel in Heaven. We miss you.

Shahira Espinoza

One of my favorite memories of Armando was realizing that we randomly were sitting right by each other at the big stadium graduation. It was a total coincidence so we took a selfie. Armando will be dearly missed, and I will think of his Ramblers legacy whenever I’m on a hike ♥️ 

Keeping Armando’s family in my thoughts and prayers, 
Isabel 

I loved working with Armando as President and Vice President of Ramblers Hiking Club in the 2021-2022 school year. He brought so much joy to Ramblers meetings, and I loved his passion for hiking and nature. I always admired his kindness and genuine nature when chatting with myself and others. 

I was one of Armando’s instructors when he went thru the Patient Care Technician program. He was eager to learn and help others. He will be deeply missed!

My deepest condolences to Armando's friends and family.
I am the faculty advisor for the Ramblers Hiking Club which Armando helped shepherd through the pandemic.  Because of the pandemic, I didn't know him as well as I have known other club officers in the past, but I appreciated his love of the outdoors and that we wanted to share it with others. A prior commitment will prevent me from attending his funeral but he and all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Drew Milsom

One of the many distinctive abilities we learned about Mando while living with him was his capacity to nap under any given circumstance. Without a doubt, every movie night or television binge ended with one of us having to wake Mando up and advising him to go to bed. This quickly became a ritual for those in apartment 5204. The moment Mando paused to grab his legendary Bronco’s blanket, we all knew it was game over. It was a matter of minutes until Mando, bundled up with his favorite blanket, would fall asleep. What started as one funny snapshot of Mando sleeping, turned into a shared folder of all of the times he fell asleep: doing homework, on our way to school, and of course watching TV. 

Mando’s innate goofiness and peculiar behavior set him apart from others. He always found a way to make us laugh. No matter how cliché it may sound, there truly was never a dull moment when he was around. 

You are deeply missed Mando, your abrupt departure has left us feeling empty. Rest easy friend.  

— your roommates

My first best friend when I first moved to Arizona from Virginia, I didn’t know I was going to make any friends as an outsider and you was my first bests friend I met. I remember like it was yesterday when we first met on the basketball court at the ranch at star pass playing basketball every night every day. Rest easy kid miss you everyday! 

I lost a very good friend, but forever will keep your memory close to my heart. 💛 Thank you Rafa for being you. -Tu Amiga, E

There are no words to express the pain in our hearts ,  for such a valuable loss, you were a young men  who was loved by all, not only  family ,  because you had that charisma and respect to everybody. 
I ask God to keep you with him in his holy glory.
 We love ,  
your  tío Chuy and tía Alba  

OBITUARY

Rafael Armando Cancino

November 25, 1998 – January 1, 2023

Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens

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