Officers and Crew of the U.S.S. Joan Of Arc and Members of Starfleet and Region 3;

It is the saddest of duty I have performed as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Joan Of Arc to inform you that one of our Officers, LCdr(3rd) Juan Canto passed away today.  At present, the details are unknown, but we are assuming that it was the result of his long courageous battle against both MS and Cerebral Palsy that claimed him.  Juan was a fine Officer and a true believer in the spirit of Star Trek and all the bright hope it envisioned.

He was a staunch supporter of this Ship and her Crew, always offering to help in any way he was able with any event or activity despite the limitations that his ailments attempted to impose on him.  He was the embodiment of Star Trek's "Let me help" philosophy and although he was often forced to do so from behind the scenes, especially in his final months after being confined to bedrest, his presence, thoughtfulness towards others and friendship were always felt. While Juan will be sorely missed by both his relatives and the family he had on the "Lady J", we regard it only as a loss in that his presence, good nature and humor will now be absent from our lives.  But, in our own grieving, we also rejoice in the fact that Juan is free from the body that shackled him in this life and, perhaps now, is able to soar among the stars he loved so dearly.

May Saint Joan lift her banner high to guide Juan home...and beyond. He will be profoundly missed, but always remembered.

Commodore Jim Van Cleave

Commanding Officer

U.S.S. Joan Of Arc   NCC-73289

"My thoughts are not for [Juan], but for myself.  I keep thinking how empty it will be without [his] presence.  Did I miss the point?"

"No, you didn't.  You got it."

    ~ Paraphrased from Data and Picard on the memorial for Tasha Yar

       TNG/ "Skin of Evil"

Here are various letters from people in StarFleet offering their condolences for the passing of LCDR Juan Canto.

Commodore Van Cleave:

The thoughts and prayers of Linda and myself are with the family of this

fine officer and your crew. Juan's name is now being added to the

STARFLEET Memorial Panel of the SFMC's Wall of Honor and will be

displayed during the International Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.

Respectfully,

LGN Wade Olson

Commandant, SFMC

BGN Linda Olson

COForceCom, SFMC

                                

                                                               *******

Crew of the USS JOA,

Juan family and friends will be in the thoughts and prayers of the Wernher

von Braun crew during this difficult time. The stars will shine brighter

with Juan among them.

Richard L. Trulson

                                                                ********

Robin,

My condolences to you, your crew, and especially Juan's family.  All of

you are in my thoughts and prayers.

CH (BGN) Dennis Rayburn

Chief of Chaplains/Counselors, STARFLEET

"Don't hunt what you can't kill"

                                                   

                                                                 ********

Commodore Van Cleve,

I'm so sorry to lean of Juan's passing.   Your eulogy is very eloquent

and fitting such a wonderful man.  My condolences to those on the Joan of Arc.

Would you please give me the address of Juan's family?  I'd like to send them a card.

Marlene Miller

                                                                 ********

In another group I lost my science officer to a heart attack, its painful and the grief in intense but I am sure that your St. Joan will look out for this fine person whom I am saddened not to have known.

Blessings and Prayers go with you.

Lt. Commander Christina Doane

Border Patrol Department

USS Nebula NCC-61800

                                                                 ********

The entire crew of the USS O'Bannon (R15) extends our condolences to the

USS Joan of Arc, friends and family of Juan.

Sincerely,

Capt.  Kandyleigh Provencher

2nd Officer - Chief of OPS

USS O'Bannon NCC 5372

                                                                 ********

On behalf of the crew of the USS Indiana and I the

chaplain do convey our condolences. We will also come to a full stop and dim our lights in respect of SFI lost comrade.       

Captain Walter V. Ewing   daggdae@juno.com

CSO, Chaplain, U.S.S. Indiana, NCC-79158

ARDC Region 01 Medical Department

OIC, CMO, Chaplain, 1st BTN, 1st BGD, SFMC

OIC, CMO, Chaplain, ADU-034 "A-Team Rangers", SFSO

                                                                ********

To the Crew and Officers of the U.S.S. Joan of Arc,

On behalf of the crew of the U.S.S. Palo Duro, I wish to offer our sincerest condolences on the passing of Juan Canto. 

Comm. Mary A. Freas

CO, USS Palo Duro

Amarillo, Texas

                                                                ********

To the family of John Canto and the crew of the USS Joan of Arc,

   Please offer our deepest heartfelt and sincerest condolences to the family of Juan Canto from the Crew of the U.S.S. BEXAR. 

Commodore Robert Ybarra, CO USS Bexar

                                                                 ********

Regarding Juan.

I cannot tell you how sorry I am for your loss.

It serves to remind me of the passing of one of my best friends, Ed/Penguin DeRuggiero.  August 20 will mark the 1 year anniversary of his passing. Would that I could be there to give you a hug in person.

If you need anything, please let me know.

Gerry/Robyn

CO-USS Highlander