Colombian Man Who Was the Oldest Person in the United States Dies at 111

“Farewell, Don Luis! Andes embraces your memory.” With this heartfelt message, the municipal government of Andes, Antioquia, mourned the death of Luis de Jesus Cano Vasquez, one of its most beloved sons, respected not only for his age, 111 years, but also for having been recognized last February as the oldest living man in the United States.

The administration of the municipality, located in southwestern Antioquia, expressed its “most sincere condolences to his relatives and loved ones at this time of departure,” and announced that the memory of Cano Vasquez, born on December 9, 1914, “is now part of the history of Andes.”

The message from the municipal administration immediately drew responses that reflected the character of the distinguished native of Andes: “Many stories of moments shared. Always grateful for so much”; “Great sadness over the irreparable loss of a great friend, Mr. Don Luis Cano. Thank you for being our friend and for sharing wonderful moments”; “I had the honor of meeting him and having him in my home. A great human being, with incredible memory and intelligence, and a wonderful sense of humor. Rest in peace, Don Luis.”

He Was Among the 12 Oldest Men in the World

Even before he was officially recognized in the city of Linden, New Jersey, where he lived, as the oldest living man in the United States upon reaching 111 years of age, Cano Vasquez had already attracted worldwide attention.

In December 2025, the human longevity organization LongeviQuest officially validated his age. Based on its records, it placed the elderly Antioquian in 12th place among the oldest men on the planet.

Although Cano Vasquez did not receive a formal education, he stood out for his remarkable ability to perform mental calculations. Those close to him attributed the longevity of the distinguished native of Andes to activities such as growing vegetables and herbs in his garden, fishing, and watching airplanes.

LongeviQuest specified that during his retirement and after arriving in the United States, Cano Vasquez planted tomatoes, cilantro, and onions during the summer, and that some of his other hobbies included playing billiards and bowling.

Son and Father of Large Families

He was born into one of those large Antioquian families that are traditional in the region, consisting of ten siblings and dedicated to agricultural work. His parents were Leocadio Cano Arroyave and Ana Rita Vasquez Franco. With Don Luis’s death, none of the children of that family remain alive.

But he himself continued that tradition of having many children. He married Alicia Arango Cano on June 28, 1948, and together they also had ten children: Nelly, Damaris, Gilberto, Luz Dary, Luis Hernan, German, Cecilia, Marina, Cesar, and Jose.

Cano Vasquez served in the Colombian Army and, after completing his military service, owned and operated a fleet of buses that transported passengers in rural areas.

Over the years, the family grew to include 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren living in different countries such as Colombia, the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

The Secrets to a Long Life

Cano Vasquez and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1990 to reunite with some of their children who were already living there.

They first arrived in Far Rockaway, New York, where they settled. However, following the death of his wife in 2004, Cano Vasquez moved to Linden, New Jersey, where he continued living with several family members until his final days.

According to LongeviQuest, the oldest man in the United States attributed his long life to simple habits and personal discipline.

• Healthy diet: he followed a diet rich in vegetables, beans, and especially avocados.

• Avoided harmful habits: he never smoked or consumed alcohol throughout his life.

• Physical activity: he remained active through work in his garden until 2020 (when he was 105 years old).

• Good sleep: around eight hours or more.

• Family environment: he lived surrounded by a large family.