Juan Candelaria Obituary

although it has been a while of the loss, he still lives in my memories of traveling with him to Puerto Rico and the many meetings and meals shared in Chicago and other places..... His oldest brother worked with my father at south works steel mills and i always loved his view point on politics in Chicago. He was very active in the community groups in the Puerto Rican Community and was admired highly as a gentleman and a respectful to all people regardless of their viewpoints.

Juan took me to visit his brother in puerto rico and as was getting out the car a dog almost bit me and so i stood still and in a short time i started to feel bites on my legs and as i look down i saw that i was standing on a red ant farm in pain i started to run into the house and yelling olmigas (ants) (shower) where is the shower and everyone was laughing and pointing.

Shortly after my quick shower we decided to go into the farm jungle area at the rear of the home and we put some rubber knee high boots. As we stool in the mist of the lust green area cutting down Panas (bread fruit) I notice bees in my area and one of the bees decided to enter my rubber boot which caused me to jump around and the bee not knowing to fly up decided sting me causing me to run into the house again. Meanwhile everyone was laughing up a storm... Juan said " I guess next time i invite to my family home you rather stay at the beach"

Juan was always great to travel making everyday an adventure...
I will always miss his joy for life and friendship.
Saludos a mi Hemano Juan.

Juan will be truly missed by so many people, Uncle Terry and I always enjoyed seeing him and Romilda at family gatherings. We enjoyed his stories of his early life in Puerto Rico and when he first came to America. He truly was a man who could do anything and cherished his beautiful family, we were blessed to have known Juan.

I would like to send my condolences to the family of tony candelaria as I knew him when he was young and just about the time he got married. I am very sorry I did not get to see him alive since I had lost contact with him for a lot of years. God bless him an d his family and may he rest in peace and I know the Lord has a place waiting for him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and God bless you all.

May the Lord Bless and keep Mr. Candelaria...and may he rest in peace with the angels and saints...watching over those he loved on earth! Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Candelaria and Marchese families.

To Tony, a man who was always there for us. You are a man who never had a frown, but smile that could light up a room. We are going to miss you so much and am glad you came back in March and spent time with us. A time we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Romie, Jackie, John and Mark..we are here for you now and always, we love you and are in our prayers.

To my Uncle Johnny, a man with a charismatic personality, a love for his family and a love for life. You have brought so much joy in my life and am going to miss you terribly. You will always be in my mind, heart and soul. I love you then, now and forever.
To my Aunt Romie, cousins Jackie, John and Mark..my thoughts, prayers and heart are you with you.. Love you all very much!

Rest in Peace, Tony. we will keep Tony and his wonderful family in our prayers. It was been great knowing all you all these years. God Bless you all.

Ramilda, Jackie, John and Mark:

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of your dad from when we were kids growing up on the East Side. He was a kind and loving man and that love and kindness shines through each of you. I will continue to pray for you and your families. All my love.

In memory of a kind and giving man. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

My wife Ann and I will pray for Juan and his family at this time. We share in your grief. We have only fond memories of Juan and we miss him now. He was so kind to take us to dinner at a local, family-owned restaurant in old San Juan when we visited his boyhood home of Puerto Rico. My wife and I still remember how he split a coconut open for us in our hotel room later that night as he told us stories from his youth climbing coconut trees in Puerto Rico. We were inspired by his obvious love for Romilda, John, and the rest of his family. I look forward to seeing you again someday my brother.

Rest In Peace "Uncle Tony".

Liz Jimenez and Lou Balek (New Lenox, IL)

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you. Our thoughts and prayers are with Romilda and her children. We were so sorry to hear of your loss.

No greater Love can one find in someone that will make the sacrifices necessary to help others as Juan did time after time. When storms devestated areas of Puerto Rico or in our USA, You did not have to ask Juan, He would call and ask how he could help.

He was also the model City employee at the city of chicago, trying to do the best he could to help people.

It was his Love for People and more important the Love he had for his Family and Friends.

He was always calling me in my trials of life to confort me and encourage me.

A part of me is lost without his consul and wisdom that I hunger for.

Juan will always live in the many hearts that he has touched, for his love can be seen in the Love his family has for each other.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

There are so many wonderful things I could say about Juan, but words can not describe. To know him was to love him. I will cherish the memories I have of him and never forget the lessons he taught me. I'm honored to have him in my life.
May you rest in peace my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the Candelaria family. God bless all of you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Our Dear Friend Juan,
You will be in our hearts and be missed in the Puerto Rican community, as a companero(Leader). We will see you in heaven, your friends Nereida& Felix Aviles

I am blessed to have had the opportunity to know Juan. He was such a generous and loving family man. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Our dear Juan was a gentleman, a gentle man, the keeper of his family circle, a marvelous storyteller, a fantastic driver and tourguide in our roadtrips throughout Puerto Rico, the best poolboy and provider of our San Juan breakfasts consisting of mangos, papaya and fried plantains, a loving man who truly cared for and about us, a fellow electrical contractor and most importantly our DEAR FRIEND.
We extend to our beloved Romilda and all the children our heartfelt sympathies. He loved you all so much, and your memories will always be with you. Juan went before us to prepare our table and host another wonderful Puerto Rican dinner in Heaven. We will never forget all the wonderful years of friendship we have shared with Juan and Romilda. God bless his soul and memory.