Obituary of Hector Q. Orihuela
Hector Orihuela, age 72 of Channahon, Illinois passed peacefully in his home on Saturday, May 14th, 2022.
Hector is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Maria Socorro Orihuela and his beloved daughters, Krystal Orihuela (Omar Martinez) and Danielle Orihuela.
Hector was born November 8, 1949 in Angangueo, Michoacan, Mexico and moved to the United States in 1971. He worked at Texaco for 10 years and then for Citgo Petroleum Corporation, his employer of 30 years.
A devout Catholic, Hector’s life was dedicated and devoted to his faith. He was a parishioner and active community member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church of Joliet for over 40 years. Throughout his time as a parishioner, Hector was committed to the betterment of his parish community and was determined to complete a decades-long dream constructing a new Church for a growing congregation. Hector was there from the beginning, working during the available time he had—when he was not at his full-time job or spending time with his family—and throughout his retirement years. In addition to his family, this was his lifelong passion to the end.
What Hector loved most in life and was most proud of, however, were his two daughters—Krystal and Danielle—and his wife, Maria. No father and husband was more loving, kind, thoughtful, patient, supportive (our #1 fan), and wise. There are not enough words that will ever do Hector’s character and personality justice. To his daughters and wife, he is their greatest orgullo. He is their source of absolute joy in the moments of success, their source of comfort in the moments of difficulty, their source of fortitude in the moments of doubt —Their everything.
Hector always said that because of his daughters, he and his wife, Maria, were able to have so many adventures. Everything his two “city gals” —one in the midwest and the other on the east coast—ventured to do was because of his unconditional love, unwavering support, and constant encouragement. Hector was always enthusiastic to spend time with his girls. Along the way, he celebrated the wedding of his eldest daughter in Chicago. Then spent time road-tripping during the pandemic to Washington, D.C. for his youngest to attend grad school. Though it was difficult for him to let go of his girls, he never stood in the way of their dreams that were his as well. He is the greatest father, father-in-law, husband, brother, uncle, and best friend.
Hector’s legacy lives on with his two daughters, Krystal and Danielle; son-in-law, Omar; wife, Maria; as well as his brothers, Luis, Lamberto, Bernardo, Alejandro, and Martin; and his sisters, Dolores and Lourdes.
Hector is preceded in death by his father, Jose Dolores Orihuela; mother, Carmen Quintero; and his brothers, Carlos (Violeta) and Fernando (Salud) Orihuela.
To celebrate Danielle and honor Hector, the family will travel to Washington, D.C. in the next few days for Danielle's graduation from Georgetown University.
Dad, “Poptart,” your unconditional love, unwavering support, and constant encouragement have built us up to who we are, and will continue to propel us forward to the individuals we want to become—a family you are most proud of. —With so much love, Maria, Krystal, and Danielle. We miss you so much and love you always.
Visitation for Hector Orihuela will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 18, at 8:45 a.m., from the funeral home to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 205 E. Jackson Street, Joliet. Cremation rites will be accorded following services and interment in Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum will be at a later date.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
Héctor Orihuela, de 72 años de Channahon, Illinois, falleció tranquilamente en su hogar el sábado 14 de mayo de 2022.
A Héctor le sobreviven su amada esposa de 34 años, María Socorro Orihuela y sus amadas hijas, Krystal Orihuela (Omar Martínez) y Danielle Orihuela.
Héctor nació el 8 de noviembre de 1949 en Angangueo, Michoacán, México y se mudó a los Estados Unidos en 1971. Trabajó en la refinería Texaco durante 10 años y después en Citgo Petroleum Corporation por 30 años.
La vida de Héctor, un Católico devoto, estuvo dedicada y entregada a su fe. Fue feligrés y miembro activo de la comunidad de Nuestra Señora de Monte Carmelo de Joliet durante más de 40 años. A lo largo de su tiempo como feligrés, Héctor estuvo comprometido con el mejoramiento de su comunidad parroquial y estaba decidido a completar un sueño de décadas de construir una nueva Iglesia para una congregación en crecimiento. Héctor estuvo allí desde el principio, trabajando durante el tiempo disponible que tenía, cuando no estaba en su trabajo de tiempo completo o pasando tiempo con su familia, y durante sus años de jubilación. Además de su familia, esta fue su pasión de toda la vida hasta el final.
Sin embargo, lo que más amaba Héctor en la vida y de lo que estaba más orgulloso eran sus dos hijas, Krystal y Danielle, y su esposa, María. Un padre de familia único y un esposo ejemplar. Fue amoroso, amable, atento, paciente, solidario (nuestro fan número 1) y sabio. No hay suficientes palabras que le hagan justicia al carácter y la personalidad de Héctor. Para sus hijas y esposa, él era el más grande orgullo. Él era alegría absoluta en los momentos de éxito, su fuente de consuelo en los momentos de dificultad, su fuente de fortaleza en los momentos de duda, su todo.
Héctor siempre decía que gracias a sus hijas, él y su esposa, María, pudieron vivir tantas aventuras. Todo lo que sus dos "city gals"— una en el medio oeste y la otra en la costa este—se aventuraron a hacer fue por su amor incondicional, apoyo y aliento constante. Héctor siempre estuvo entusiasmado por pasar tiempo con sus hijas. Durante sus últimos años, él celebró la boda de su hija mayor en Chicago. Luego pasó un tiempo viajando durante la pandemia a Washington, D.C. para que su hija menor asistiera a la escuela de posgrado. Aunque fue difícil para él dejar ir a sus hijas, nunca se interpuso en el camino de sus sueños que también eran suyos. Es el mejor padre, suegro, esposo, hermano, tío y mejor amigo.
El legado de Héctor sigue vivo con sus dos hijas (Krystal y Danielle), yerno (Omar), esposa (María) así como sus hermanos Luis (Jovita), Lamberto (Molly), Bernardo (Leticia), Alejandro, Martín; y sus hermanas, Dolores y Lourdes.
A Héctor le precedieron en la muerte su padre, José Dolores Orihuela; madre, Carmen Quintero; y sus hermanos, Carlos (Violeta) y Fernando (Salud) Orihuela.
Para celebrar a Danielle y honrar a Héctor, la familia viajará a Washington D.C. en los próximos días para la graduación de Danielle de la Universidad de Georgetown.
