Genaro "Henry" Longoria

Genaro “Henry” Longoria was a dedicated, hardworking man, who led a life filled with honesty, integrity and faith. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother, who always showed respect to everyone he encountered. Unconditional in his love, Henry was continually guided by strong values, values that helped him make a lasting and positive impression on all the lives he touched.

1933 was the worst year of the Great Depression with unemployment peaking at 25.2%, and with nearly one in three people unemployed, tens of thousands traveled the road and rail in America looking for work. To help boost the economy, the U.S. banking system, which was under great strain, was propped up by the U.S. government with the enactment of the U.S. Banking Act of 1933. As part of the New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt unveils the Civil Works Administration, an organization designed to create jobs for more than 4 million of the unemployed. These rough times brought the American family even closer together, and it was in these times that Guillermo and Micaela (Cantu) Longoria celebrated the birth of their sixth child, Genaro “Henry” Cantu Longoria.

Henry was born on September 19, 1933, in the small farming community of Pearsall, Texas. His parents supported the family by working the land as sharecroppers. Henry was later joined by five more siblings, putting him smack dab in the middle, with five younger and five older siblings. Henry spent his childhood, with his six sisters and four brothers, like many of the children of sharecroppers, learning the value and the satisfaction of a hard day’s work. It was during these formidable years that Henry’s parents instilled in him a strong work ethic as well as a belief in God.

When Henry was still somewhat young, his older brother moved to Michigan and found a job. Eventually, the entire family moved to Michigan and worked as migrant workers on the local farms. In early 1958, Henry’s life took a new direction when he met Angelica Soliz at one of the local cafés. Smitten from the get-go, Henry asked her out on a date and to his delight, she accepted. Their relationship blossomed and after about six months of dating, while in the park watching the 4th of July fireworks, Henry asked his beloved Angelica to be his wife. He couldn’t wait for the ring, so it came later. Henry and Angelica were happily married on July 26, 1958, in Angelica’s church, Calvary Baptist in Ovid, Michigan.

After saying “I do,” Henry and Angelica bought some property in Lansing, Michigan, and made their first home together here. They also joined the congregation at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, where they attended services for many years. Henry always felt the pull to be active in his church, and held many positions over the years, including as a Deacon. During this time, Henry and Angelica were delighted to welcome their adopted daughter, Sarah, into their hearts and home. Soon after, the family of three moved to Angelica’s hometown of Ovid. Here, Henry went to work at Midland Ross for 15 years and at Instiform for another 15 years, and eventually retired. Their family also grew to include their adopted son, Ruben, and later, Henry and Angelica adopted Sarah’s two daughters, Natasha and Tiffany.

Henry was a proud, hardworking man, whose happiest moments always involved the time he spent with his wife, children and family. He cared deeply for his family and showed it by providing faithfully for them and sharing much love and laughter. As a young couple, Henry and Angelica traveled quite a lot with their families, and after having children of their own, they continued this tradition with them, crisscrossing this great country together. Henry loved his family dearly, and together he and Angelica shared a deep love for 53 years. They enjoyed, cherished and celebrated every moment together, and with their family. Henry made many heartfelt phone calls to his children to see how they were, which they will dearly miss. And his great sense of humor and warm laugh were sure to bring a smile to their face. Henry loved to dance, and was a die-hard fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions, and the Michigan State Spartans.

Henry always had a gleam of determination in his eye, even when he was suppose to take it easy because of his health, it didn’t stop him from helping in any way he could. Although Henry will be deeply missed, his legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Genaro “Henry” Cantu Longoria passed away on Friday, June 10, 2011, at his home surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Angelica; four children: Sarah (Doug) Kelly of Tampa FL, Ruben (Dodie) Longoria of Holly Springs, NC, Natasha (Chris) Andrews of Bannister, MI and Tiffany (Yondri) Peraza of Clarksville, TN; his grandson, Adam Andrews, and granddaughter, Angela Longoria. He is also survived by his four sisters: Maria (Bene) Garcia of Ocoee, FL, Sara Pichardo of Pearsall, TX, Felipa (Santos) Garcia of St. Johns and Licha Chavera of Pearsall, TX, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Donanto, Luciano, Abelardo and Eufemio Longoria; his two sisters, Marcela Vasquez and Alberta Rodriquez; great grandson, Kayden Longoria, and nephews, Robert Longoria, James Kimmel and Simon Williams.

His family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, June 13. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, also at the funeral home in St. Johns. The burial will follow the service at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid. Sympathies may be expressed with memorials to a charity of his family’s choice. Please visit Henry’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/71045, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and sign his online guest book. The family was served by the Osgood Funeral