Obituary of Victor Manuel Velarde, Sr.
Victor Manuel Velarde, Sr.
Victor Manuel Velarde, Sr., age of 83, passed away peacefully, at his home in Minooka, on Monday, October 25, 2021, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, on August 4, 1938, the son of the late Jose Petronilo and Ana Maria (Velazquez) Velarde. Victor received his Associate's Degree from DeVry and enjoyed a long career in Telecommunications, retiring from AT&T in 2014. He was formerly employed over twenty years at Quasar/Motorola/Matshushita/Panasonic. The company went through several name changes before closing in the mid-1990s.
Victor loved his family, playing soccer, cycling, and helping family and friends. He was quite intellectual that loved to tell jokes and stories.
Victor was a devout Catholic. At the age of thirteen, he entered the Seminary of the Salesianos until the age of twenty. He was almost ordained to be a priest but he decided to leave and pursue other dreams.
With an outgoing personality and a brilliant mind, Victor was native in several languages, enjoyed reading, and knew the city streets of Chicago like the back of his hand. He stayed active being an avid runner. He was proud to have completed the annual Chicago Marathons from 1978 through 2008, only missing a few of those runs. Victor enjoyed the outdoors, touring Chicago, and loved spending time with his family.
Victor is survived by his twin sons, Victor, (Rotasha) Velarde, Jr. and Hilario De Jesus Velarde; his grandchildren, Victor E. Velarde, Mya T. Velarde, and Nadia E. Lopez; and five siblings, Carlos (Theresa) Velarde, Arturo (Rosa) Velarde, Bertha Velarde, Eduardo (Beatriz) Velarde, and Luz Velarde. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
He is preceded by his parents; and five siblings, Alicia Velarde, Ricardo Velarde, Ana Maria Velarde, Angel Velarde, and Alfredo Velarde.
Visitation for Victor Manual Velarde, Sr. will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Fred C., Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL. In accordance with the Illinois guidelines, masks will be required.
The family has requested to live stream the Funeral Service on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Please click on this link (https://youtu.be/kjLwPkOYloI) and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers, and connection are.
As it was his request, cremation rites will be accorded following the services.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
