Daniel A. Cano

Daniel A. Cano 

1966-2024 

Daniel A. Cano, 57, of Belen, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.  

Daniel was loved and cherished by his family, his friends and his many students. He leaves behind a legacy of constant hope, purposeful education and roaring laughter. He had a love for life and for the people who were lucky enough to know him. Once you met Daniel, you had a friend for life.  

He was born in California, and before he was 2 years old, his parents, Aveleno and Angie Cano, moved to Belen, where they raised their family. 

Daniel was a dreamer, always wanting and striving to make the world a better place. He was stubbornly optimistic with a sense of humor that ranged from being incredibly corny to wonderfully inappropriate.  

While he had always wanted to be the doctor who would one day find a cure for cancer, he devoted his professional life to education. After obtaining two Bachelor of Science degrees in both biology and chemistry from the University of New Mexico, he began his teaching career as a chemistry lab instructor at UNM Main. 

His journey in education brought him home to Belen, where he taught both math and science at various times in Belen Consolidated Schools, including Infinity High School, Belen High School and Belen Middle School. He was named Teacher of the Year at Infinity High School several years ago. He also coached basketball for a couple of years at Belen Middle School. 

Daniel is preceded in death by his best friends, his parents, Aveleno and Angie Cano; grandparents, Ismael and Juanita Saavedra and Luis and Clara Cano; and Mason Vialpando. 

He is survived by his partner, Amanda Rankin; siblings, Debra and Mark Yarnelle, of Albuquerque, David and Deborah Cano, of Tempe, Ariz., Emily Cano, of Bosque Farms, Clara and Matthew Garcia, of Belen, and Angela Cano, of Belen; nieces and nephews, Erin and Adam Walker, Kristen Yarnelle, Abram and Ashley Cano, Madison Cano, Caitlin Cano, Gonzalo and Ismael Cano, and Sophia and Brenden Walker. 

He is also survived by Eutimio Vialpando Jr., Migel Vialpando and Alyssa Vialpando and their daughter, Cora, and Rojelio Vialpando and wife, Kelly Thomas and Kaedan Thomas; and Elizabeth Dever Ezzell. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, beginning with a visitation at 10 a.m. at the Belen High School auditorium, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment of Daniel will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery in Belen.  

A ”party” to celebrate Daniel’s life will be held at the Moose Lodge, 19482 N.M. 314, following the services.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.