Clarence C. Cantini

Clarence C. Cantini, affectionately known as “Pops” to his family, entered his eternal life on Monday, October 17, 2016. He was surrounded by his family in a circle of love.

Clarence was born to Giulio and Irene Cantini on October 24, 1929, in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Kirwin High School in 1947 and, shortly thereafter, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Clarence worked at C&C Wholesale Grocers, Galveston Wharves and retired from King Ranch.

Throughout the years, Clarence became part of the fabric of Galveston Island. He volunteered many years to promote community within his church. He was a charter parishioner of St. Peter the Apostle Church and enjoyed cooking many Italian meals to help raise church funds.

Clarence’s passion for singing was ignited by his future father-in-law, Lawrence Giuliani, when he was invited to join the St. Patrick Church Choir. It became his life-long joy to sing in choirs, be a choir director, sing at social events, and even host his own concerts throughout the community.

Clarence was a member of the Serra Club of Galveston for ten years as well as a member of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. On his 80th birthday he was honored by Divine Mercy Park as a valuable senior citizen of Galveston and also served on the Board of Trustees. Over the years, Clarence visited his “shut-ins” and took them the Eucharist.

Clarence loved his sports. He began umpiring in the U.S. Army and continued to serve as an umpire for over 27 years for both the Little and Lassie Leagues of Galveston. He was a huge fan of Notre Dame and the Dallas Cowboys and never missed a Saturday/Sunday game on TV!

Clarence is preceded in death by his first wife of 31 years, Angela Giuliani Cantini, parents, Giulio and Irene Del Buono Cantini, and sister, Dolores Cantini Schreier.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Beverly Sue Cantini; children: Irene Hernandez and husband, Raymond, Stephen Cantini and wife, Shenandoah, Linette Devoe and husband, William, Claudia Hinojosa and husband, Lance, Julie Cantini, Joe Fertitta, Jr., Cindy Miller and husband, Jim, Susan Fitzhugh and husband, Richard, Carol Anne Vasquez and husband, Cesar, John Fertitta and companion, Gabriela Pezzano; sisters, Lillian Cantini Rourke and Mary Louise Cantini Giamfortone, and sisters-in-law, Frances Giuliani Trepagnier and Karen Klotzman and husband, Bruce; brother-in-law, Walter Pennington, Jr. and wife, Lorrie; grandchildren: Cara Poss and husband, Jerrod, Britney Niccolai-Palmer and wife, Ruthann, Angela Niccolai, Chase Niccolai and wife, Angela, Katrina Simpson and husband, Justin, Claire Cantini, Cameron Hinojosa, Mitchell Hinojosa, Joe Fertitta III, Dominic Fertitta, Lorenzo Fertitta, Stacey Robertson and husband, Derek, Micah Miller and wife, Sybianna, Brandi Meyer and husband, Jim, Chad Fitzhugh, Cari Anne Fairweather and husband, Jerry, Cody Podraza, Joseph Fertitta, John Fertitta, Jr., Mia Fertitta and Tristan Fertitta; great-grandchildren: Corrine Niccolai, Addison Poss, Carter Niccolai, Caitlin Robertson, Masen Robertson, Avery Meyer, Addison Meyer, Alexandra Meyer, Olivia Meyer, Hannah Fairweather, Gavin Fairweather, Fallon Fairweather, Ronin Miller and Thurman Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons Chase Niccolai, Cameron Hinojosa, Mitchell Hinojosa, Joe Fertitta III, Dominic Fertitta, Lorenzo Fertitta, Micah Miller, Chad Fitzhugh, Cody Podraza, Joseph Fertitta, John Fertitta, Jr. and Tristan Fertitta. Honorary pallbearers are his sons-in-law, Raymond Hernandez, William Devoe, Lance Hinojosa, Richard Fitzhugh, Cesar Vasquez, Jim Miller, Joe Fertitta, Jr., and John Fertitta.

Clarence’s family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 am, Monday, October 24, 2016, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. A rosary will begin at 11:30 am, followed by funeral mass at 12:00 noon at the church. Interment will be a private service for family.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Father E.J. Stein for his guidance through this process and Father Maynard Tetreault for the anointing of the sick. Miguel Serrato, James Smith and Deacon Sam Dell ‘Olio for bringing the Eucharist to him on a regular basis, his driver, Ed Jackson, Malloy & Son, his physicians at UTMB, UTMB ER & ICU staff, Gulf Health Care, Absolute Kheir, family, neighbors and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Family Parish of Galveston, Texas.