In Loving Memory of Jorge Enrique Perez Rosales

Jorge Enrique Perez Rosales, 61, of Markham, Illinois, and formerly of Cicero, Illinois, passed away on June 14, 2026, after a valiant battle with B-cell lymphoma.

Jorge is survived by his children, Celia, Florentina, Jorge Jr., Isela, Jessica, and Fatima; his cherished grandchildren, Mary Dawn, Nate Richard, Emilia, AJ, Javier, Mila, Narely Isela, Aubrey, Adriana, Emma, Sophia, Brian, and Alex; and his loving mother, Emilia. He was preceded in death by his father, Jose de Jesus.

Jorge was a hardworking, honorable man whose strength, dedication, and integrity guided him throughout his life. He possessed a kind spirit and a generous heart, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Above all else, Jorge was a devoted father and a proud grandfather who treasured every moment spent with his family.

His unwavering love, wisdom, and presence touched the lives of all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, perseverance, and devotion that will continue to live on through his family and the many lives he impacted.

Though he fought his illness with remarkable courage and determination, Jorge’s greatest strength was the love he shared with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew him.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the just Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” -Timothy 4:7–8

A Poem for Dad

By Fatima, on behalf of all his children

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Un poema para papá

De parte de Fatima, y en nombre de todos sus hijos

Aún puedo escucharte cantarla.

“Frijoles y papas,

papas y frijoles,

y un cafezazo y ya no puedo más.”

Se suponía que este iba a ser un poema sobre ti. Pero la verdad es que tú ya lo habías escrito. Lo escribiste en las cosas que repetías sin pensar.

En las canciones que hacían reír la casa. En la forma tan tuya de ver la vida.

Una canción tan pequeña que apenas duraba unos segundos.

Y, sin embargo, hoy sostiene una vida entera.

Porque también puedo escucharte diciendo:

“No vivas el pasado. El pasado ya pasó.

El futuro todavía no ha pasado. No sabes lo que viene.

Vive el día. El ahorita. El instante.

Si ves una flor y te gusta, córtala.

Disfruta de lo bello que es la vida.

Todo esto que ves, Dios te lo está brindando para que lo disfrutes.

No te preocupes de nada.

Lo que va a pasar,

va a pasar.

Ni tú, ni nadie, lo puede controlar.”

Y qué difícil se sienten tus palabras hoy.

Porque por un momento, lo único que quisiera es volver atrás.

Pero me gusta pensar que, en algún lugar más allá de nosotros,

un pequeño niño, que extrañó a su padre por tanto tiempo,

finalmente volvió a verlo.

Y mientras nosotros aprendemos a extrañarte, 

tú estás aprendiendo a estar en casa otra vez.

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I can still hear you singing it.

“Frijoles y papas,

papas y frijoles,

y un cafezazo y ya no puedo más”.

This was supposed to be a poem about you. But the truth is, you had already written it. You wrote it in the things you repeated without thinking.

In the songs that filled our home with laughter. In your own beautiful way of looking at life.

Such a small song that lasted only a few seconds.

And yet, today, it holds an entire lifetime.

Because I can still hear you saying:

“Don’t live in the past. The past has already happened.

The future hasn’t happened yet. You don’t know what’s coming.

Live today. Right now. This moment.

If you see a flower and you like it, pick it.

Enjoy the beauty of life.

Everything you see, God is giving it to you so that you can enjoy it.

Don’t worry about anything.

What will happen, will happen.

Neither you, nor anyone else, can control it.”

oh god, your words feel so heavy today.

Because for a moment, the only thing I want is to go back.

But I like to think that, somewhere beyond us, a little boy,

who had missed his father for such a long time, finally got to see him again.

And while we’re here learning how to miss you,

you’re learning what it feels like to be home again.