Skyline College student Raphael Canenguez died in the early morning hours of Jan.18 after suffering from an internal infection.Canenguez, 20, had returned from El Salvador on Jan. 15 after visiting family and was already registered for his spring 2008 semester classes at Skyline College when he began showing symptoms of illness. “I had never known him to be sick,” said Brendon Peoples, Canenguez’s best friend “[But] when he came back from El Salvador he had a slight cough.”Hours before he died Canenguez spent time with Peoples and, according to Peoples, was feeling better.”He actually told me he was fine,” Peoples said, “and when he was at my house he was real cold and I put a blanket over him and warmed him up. After that he seemed ok.”Peoples took Canenguez home that evening, and at around 4 a.m. he was informed of Canenguez’s death. Canenguez died at his home ,hours after being dropped off by Peoples. According to Peoples, Canenguez was born without a spleen and had contracted an infection that could not be fought off. Peoples originally stated Canenguez had suffered from a liver complication that went undetected as reported by The Skyline View earlier.”The sickness crept up and was eating him away” Peoples said. Canenguez wanted to be a fashion designer and was hoping to transfer to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise school in San Francisco. He was a member of the A-Step Program at Skyline last semester, and was looking forward to joining the Puente Program this semester.”There was nothing he didn’t want to do” said Donald Bradley, 28, “he loved everyone.”Bradley was also a close friend of Canenguez, whom he also met in the same math class. The three of them formed a strong bond.”We were like brothers” Bradley said. “We used to call each other names from the movie Shrek. I was Donkey, Brendon was Shrek, and Raphael was Puss N’ Boots.”Canenguez was also well-liked by teachers. Patricia Deamer, professor of math, had Canenguez as a student over three times. Deamers assistant, Renee Garrett tells of the unique relationship between Deamer and Canenguez.”Pat [Deamer] and him had a beautiful relationship” Garrett said. “He would bring her sandwiches because he knew she liked to eat. He was just a great guy.”Like many college students, Canenguez loved hanging out with his friends and listening to music (especially hip-hop). Canenguez was mostly recognized for his “Hip-Hop Ain’t Dead, it Lives in the Bay” sweatshirt. Although Canenguez is gone, his friends are determined to honor his memory. Both Peoples and Bradley plan on attending a F.I.D.M. fashion show in his honor, as well as taking a trip to El Salvador. “Even though he’s gone,” Peoples said, “he will always be in my memory. He taught me to keep my head up and keep reaching for my goals.”The two wakes were held Friday, Jan. 25 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Garden Chapel, 885 El Camino Real, South San Francisco for Raphael Canenguez. The funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m., St. Augustine Church, 3700 Callan Blvd., South San Francisco. All services were open to the public.

Additional Information Provided By Jennifer CulhaneLast Updated: Feb. 1, 2008