...award-winning instructor and is known for turning many of his students into winners at SkillsUSA competitions.
The legacy continues with his son, Felix Cano III, who works for a body shop in Texas after learning the trade from his father, grandfather and uncle.
The Canos treasure their roles as teachers. Cano Sr. was an instructor with I-CAR for several years. Just like his son, he’s anxious to share his knowledge and experience with anyone willing to learn.
When Cano Jr. was 8 years old, he started going to work with his father and that’s when he realized he wanted to be like his dad.
“I had one of the best teachers anyone could have and the one-on-one instruction that I have from him was so beneficial,” Cano Jr. said. “I teach my students the way he taught me. One great thing about my dad was that he never yelled at me when I messed up. During all the years I’ve worked by his side, he never got mad and his patience was amazing. What he did for me was better than any apprenticeship because I could ask him questions all the time.”
If it was his decision, Cano Sr. would still be working, he said.
“Everyone wanted me to retire, except for me. But my wife wants me around the house, so what can I do? I go down to the shop every once in a while, to stay connected," he said. "Like many other people who reach retirement age, I don’t want to stay home and die. I want to still be involved.”
Cano Jr. is very proud of his papa and hopes he will live past 100.
“He still wants to give back---that’s just the way he is. He was one of the old school ‘metal men’ from that era; the crème de la crème and true tradesmen," Cano Jr. said. "He turned us into teachers because we wanted to be like him, and we still do!”
Ed Attanasio