Joseph "Joe" Cano

Joseph "Joe" Cano, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Viola, WI. He was born October 17th, 1937, in Camaguey, Cuba to the late Jose Cano and Julia (Sanabria) Cano.

He spent his early years on his parents’ sugar plantation. He later attended and graduated from Artes y Oficio Technical College for engineering in Camaguey. Joe then moved to the United States in 1958, where he served in the Army. He was very proud to become a United States citizen so he could then fulfill the American dream through his hard work and dedication.

Joe achieved each goal that he ever set out to do. He was an avid hunter with many of his trophies in the world record book. He was also a very successful businessman, forming the Cano Tool & Die Company located in Chicago, IL. Joe created the shopping center known as Cano Square with an adjacent subdivision - helping Santa Rosa Beach, as it developed, near Destin, FL. He later became a founding member of the North American Elk Breeders Association and built his very own elk farm in rural Wisconsin known as Iron Corral Exotics. Additionally, he raised a variety of animals there, including buffalo, horses, miniature donkeys, llamas, and fainting goats. Joe established and continued to run JoCanoSa Corp., a screen-printing business. He, along with his wife, became a staple at the Viola Horse & Colt Show - commemorating the event with various apparel for 34 years. He also helped his brother Justo supply many factories with ice-making equipment in Venezuela. Like hunting, Joe loved football. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears, win or lose, and would often boast of his experience hunting geese once outside of Chicago with Walter Payton.

Joe touched the lives of so many, when he smiled you smiled. He had a giant personality and was known for his loving-kindness, warmth, humor, and accepting nature. He was very dedicated to his family and friends, instilling those values to his children and grandchildren - always making family his top priority.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Sandy (Maleszewski) Cano, whom he met and fell in love with at the Sun n Sand in 1982, on the white, sandy beaches of the Emerald Coast in Destin, FL. He is also survived by his children: Carlos (Diana) Cano, Alice Cano, Joedy Cano, Casey (Mary) Cano, and Salena (Paul) Aspenson; his grandchildren: Daniel, Cathrine, Joda, David, Micah, Moriah, Josiah, Chloe, Abigail, Mercy, Eden, and Enoch; his great-grandchildren, Penny and Daniel; his siblings: Joselia, Julia, Julio, Jorge, and Justo; and his “adopted” granddaughters, Talitha, Nora, and Trinity.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and son, Joey Cano.

There will be a Celebration of Life located at the Grace and Truth Bible Chapel in Westby, WI, on Saturday, March 1st, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. A private gathering will be held later in Joe’s honor for his close family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Samaritan's Purse to support victims of the natural disasters out west and on the east coast or a charity of your choice in Joe's memory.

Sime Funeral Home & Crematory in Readstown is serving Joe's family.

106 S. 4th St.

Readstown, WI 54652

(608) 629-5651