Luis Cano, America’s oldest living man, dies at 111 in Linden

Luis Cano, the oldest known living man in the United States, passed away peacefully at his home on June 15, 2026, at the age of 111. His death marks the end of a century-spanning life that bridged two continents, two centuries, and countless family generations.

Born in Antioquia, Colombia, on December 9, 1914, Mr. Cano lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, and the rise of the digital age—yet he remained, by all accounts, a man of simple, steadfast habits. He served as a marksman in the Colombian Army before spending years behind the wheel of an intermunicipal bus, navigating the winding roads of his homeland. In 1948, he married Alicia Arango, beginning a partnership that would endure for 56 years until her passing. Together they raised ten children, a brood that has since blossomed into a sprawling legacy of 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Cano emigrated to the United States 35 years ago, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2004. For the past two decades, he called Linden home, and the city embraced him as one of its own. He remained active well into his later years, tending gardens and maintaining the vegetarian diet—heavy on vegetables and beans—that he credited for his longevity. He never smoked and rarely drank, and he often said that hard physical work and faith were the real secrets to his remarkable run.

His historic status gained formal recognition on January 24, 2026, when Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and representatives from LongeviQuest—the global authority on supercentenarian validation—presented Mr. Cano with an official trophy and documented his life story. Two months later, on March 26, Mayor Armstead hosted Germán Alexander Vélez Orozco, the mayor of Andes, Colombia, for a special cross-continental visit to pay tribute to the beloved Linden resident. The gesture underscored the deep pride that both his adopted and native countries felt for him.

Last December, the city marked his 111th birthday with a festive vehicle procession and a proclamation, celebrating a man who had become a local treasure. “The City of Linden was incredibly proud to be home to America’s oldest man,” Mayor Armstead said in a statement. “Mr. Cano lived a lifetime defined by faith, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to his family. His presence was a true blessing to our community, and his remarkable legacy will not be forgotten.”

Mr. Cano’s longevity had gained national attention, though he remained the oldest living man—not person. That distinction belongs to Naomi Whitehead, 115, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, who continues to hold the title of the oldest known living person in the United States.

A public viewing will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Leonard & Smith Funeral and Cremation Services, 301 E. Blancke Street in Linden. The city has invited the community to pay their respects to a man who embodied resilience, family, and the quiet dignity of a life well lived.

Mr. Cano is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who carry forward the enduring legacy of a man who outlasted presidents, wars, and the very century that gave him birth. He will be remembered not merely for his age, but for the kindness and humility that made that age worth celebrating.