Julio Vicente Cano

Julio Vicente Cano, 84, most recently of Readstown, Wisconsin passed away peacefully September 25, 2025, at his home. Julio was born June 25, 1941, to Jose Cano and Julia Sanabria in Camaguey, Cuba.

As a child, his curiosity, problem solving and knack with numbers soon gained the notice of his parents and teachers. Aided by an academic scholarship, he eventually went to Colegio Los Maristas in the capital city of Havana. He moved to the United States in 1958 to complete his high school at the YMCA High School in Chicago. That relocation began an appreciation for the Midwest that he would reminisce about in later years. For instance, he would look forward to enjoying an “American breakfast” of sausage, fried eggs, hash browns and toast on college football Saturdays that he said reminded him of the warmth and welcoming he felt in his first years in the U.S.

His interests in science and mathematics in particular led him to pursue an undergraduate degree from Purdue University, a Master’s of Science from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Toledo. The professor began his teaching career at Ball State University. But in the early 1970s, he moved to Venezuela (South America) to teach and establish the Mathematics Department at the newly formed Universidad del Oriente in Cumana (eastern Venezuela). In later years, he taught at the Universidad Simon Bolivar in the capital city of Caracas where eventually he became chairman of the Mathematics Department. He retired after 30 years of teaching in 1999.

Known and appreciated for his teaching style, he mentored and encouraged a generation of students who went on to pursue graduate degrees in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science and Engineering at universities throughout the world, particularly in Big Ten institutions of higher learning. Throughout his academic career, he published scholarly work and original research mostly centering on theoretical mathematics. As such, he studied the relationships between existing mathematical theories, and tried to prove mathematical hunches, often without immediate practical application.

When not in the classroom, Julio liked to fish, enjoy a big fat Cuban cigar, watch baseball, woodworking, and tinkering around the house.

He would often say that his wife of 60 years, Marisabel, was the pillar of his life and he would not be whole without her. Both met and married back in their college days in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Around 2019, they decided to leave Venezuela due to the deteriorating political and economic situation in the country. He relocated to Southwestern Wisconsin because of family ties, investments, and to enjoy the beauty of the Driftless Region he had previously visited.

In recent years, Julio could be found sitting on the porch, smoking a cigar, enjoying the changing seasons, and listening to a Brewers game. Rest in peace.

Julio is survived by his wife, Marisabel; son, Julio; sister, Joselia; brothers, Jorge and Justo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Julia; brother, Jose; and sister Julia.

Per his wishes, no services are planned. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.