Gabino Rocha

                                                                                    Obituary

Gabino Rocha of Chicago, Illinois passed away on Wednesday June 7, 2023 at the age of 86. Gabino and his twin brother Raphael were born in Durango, Mexico on October 24, 1936 where they lived with their parents and four siblings until ultimately moving to Chicago in early adulthood. It was here that he met the love of his life, his wife Norma and stepsons Frank and David Sanchez.

If you asked Gabino, his greatest accomplishment wasn’t his career or his success in obtaining his American dream, it was being a Grandfather. Gabino met his wife Norma on a CTA bus, he would look for her everyday, too shy to talk to her. Then one day Grandma commented on how stinky the cheese in his lunch box was and the rest is history. They were married a short time later.

In 1984, his stepson David and his wife Mari-Anne Sanchez blessed Gabino with his first grandchild, Melissa (Missy). Gabino’s life changed completely. He began to live his life for being Grandpa to his five grandchildren. Despite challenges in his life, the love he gave will forever be unmatched. Always laughing, protecting, dancing, and spoiling them. The freezer was never without gallon bags of paletas and their little coffee cups were always on the ready (against their dad’s wishes). He was always willing to drop anything to come pick them up and spend time with them at a moments notice.

Gabino is preceded in death by his wife Norma. He is survived by his twin brother Raphael, sister Francesca & niece Sandra; stepsons, Frank and David (Mari-Anne) Sanchez; grandchildren Melissa (Jason) Gonzalez, Brandon (Lisa) Sanchez, Kristin (Chris) Kindig, David Craig (Darina) Sanchez and Cameron Sanchez; and great grandchildren Charlie, Gideon, Mia, Xander, Autumn, Koa and extended family.

When his grandchildren think of the perfect Grandpa, it has always been and will always be him. There will never be enough words to describe the love they felt from him. They were beyond blessed to have him as their family and more importantly as their Grandpa. He will be forever missed, talked about forever, as stories of him are passed down to the next generation and the next, and loved eternally.

A memorial service for Gabino will be held at the Sanchez family home on the evening of Monday June 19, 2023 from 4 to 8 pm. Family and friends are welcome to join in a celebration of his life and love. If you would like to attend and need the location information please reach out to Kristin (773)704-9122 or Missy (773)704-9121.