Francisco Orlando Canto
July 24, 1928 - January 25, 2010

If we are going to tell the story of life, then let us begin at the birth of Francisco Orlando Canto, during the year 1928 in the small town of Sagua La Grande, Cuba. For the first 34 years of his life, we have but fragments, photos forever capturing him at his cornerstones: Orlando as a child, standing with his brothers Silvio and Pepe; Orlando as a young man kneeling on the side of a river bed, a pistol in his hand ("Used for fishing," he'd say); Orlando on his wedding day, staring into the eyes of his love and wife of 55 years, Vilma E. Canto. Orlando holding his two children Landy and Nury. In 1962, he moved his family to the U.S. in search of a better life. Settling in Madison, WI, he worked as a Draftsman at the University of Wisconsin in the Department of Medical Physics until his retirement. For his remaining years, Orlando dedicated his time to being a loving grandfather. To his grandchildren Kris, Amber, Brandon and Austin, "Papa" was a jack of all trades. He was astoryteller, a magician, a paratrooper, a conjurer of ghosts one minute and a comedian the next. He was also both a solitaire aficionado and lover of electronic gadgets, and would collect laptop computers in search of electronic games worthy of his masterful abilities. With his thick Cuban accent, he referred to "squirrels" as "squares". For years his family tried to make sense of his frequent sightings of polygons running across the back yard. Papa loved animals. He loved going to the zoo and going to Best Buy. He loved eating with his family at T.G.I. Friday's, loved ordering soups and sandwiches at Panera. He loved offering his grandchildren cookies and chocolates. He loved talking about his Country and did so frequently, hoping to someday return. On January 25th, he died peacefully in his sleep at Oak Park Place in Middleton, due to complications from a fall. He was preceded in death by his parents Silvio Canto Bustillo and Rudesinda Ramos Lepez; his brother Jose J. Canto; and his son Orlando Canto Jr. In a dream the day before his death, he had seen his father, who said to him calmly, "It's time to come home". He has since returned, waiting patiently for those left behind, standing forever ready to show us the way. There will be a private Memorial Service for immediate family and friends on Saturday, January 30th, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Diego O.Cuevas officiating. All those wishing to celebrate Orlando's life arewelcome to stop by at the home of Nury Canto-Duerst from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society in Orlando's name.

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