Nazario Veguilla

Nazario Veguilla, 95, of Aurora, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Rush-Copley Medical Center. He was born July 28, 1919 in Puerto Rico. Survivors include his three daughters, Carmen Manly of Orlando, FL, Norma (Julio) Rivera of Naperville and Mara (Jesse) Cortes of Aurora; six grandchildren: Jes (Damary) Cortes, Christina (Michael) Odeh, Juan (Anita) Cortes, Nelson (Angie) Rivera, Daniel Rivera and Belinda Manly; seventeen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Luz Maria Veguilla; his parents, Jose and Gabina (Perez) Veguilla; four sisters and five brothers. My father was a simple campesino jibaro from Guavate, born July 28, 1919 near Caguas, PR. He heard the U.S. call to arms and didn't think twice about joining. I have great admiration for these quiet, peaceful Puerto Rican men, my dad included, who had limited education, barely spoke English, and few of them had ventured outside their region of birth, let alone cross the seas, marched forth to war. My dad arrived in Europe in the immediate chaos resulting from D Day aftermath, something I am grateful for since it spared him and his fellow infantrymen high casualties. He was stationed at museums, guarding artifacts. He rarely spoke of his experiences there generally sticking to his escapades in France and Germany while off duty, and of the wonderful French and German people who treated them... los "pelaos" well. He said the Puerto Rican soldiers referred to themselves as "pelaos", I'm not sure why. He died peacefully December 16 , 2014 surrounded by his family, in Aurora, Illinois. During his lifetime he was charter member of the Caballeros de San Juan, working tirelessly for the Puerto Rican community during the 1950s. He worked as a radio man at American Airlines, taxi driver, Telemundo TV control tower, Bell Telephone, Halicrafters Mfg., and finally Insurance Agent. He was a writer of poems, songs, and amateur board-game crafter and wood wheedler. He was a wonderful father and best roll-model his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will ever have. He was most proud, however, of having served in the military during World War II. And even in his dementia, he would proudly say, "Tu sabias que yo era soldado?" (Did you know I was a solider?) According to the "Enlisted Records and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge", he entered service in Caguas, PR on April 10, 1944. His place of entry on Dec. 10, 1944 was at Fort Buchanan, PR. He was in Company C 65th Infantry, popularly known as the Borinqueneers. His military campaign assignment was Rhineland, Central Europe, American Theater, USA Atlantic. He was 25 years old. He was honorably discharged from Fort Buchanan March 14, 1946 as PVT, First Class. Reason: Demobilization Radiogram 1000. Decorations and Citations included American Theater Service Medal, WW II Victory Medal, 2 Overseas Service Bars, European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. Rest in Peace our prince. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2014 from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY at 9:30 AM to St. Mary Church at 10:00 AM. Fr. Timothy Piasecki will officiate with interment in St. Pater & Paul Cemetery, 911 E. North Ave, Naperville, IL. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora. 630-631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Nazario’s family or sign the guest book.

Nazario Veguilla

July 28, 1919 - December 16, 2014