Rodelo Ilagan

Rodelo (Rod) Ilagan, 67, passed away December 31, 2015 after a brief illness due to Pancreatic cancer. He was born in the Philippines and became a US citizen after immigrating in 1980. Rod and his family lived in Annapolis for over 35 years, enjoying the proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and Washington, DC. He received his MBA from Loyola College in Baltimore and was an entrepreneur, owning several businesses and in his later years worked in the nonprofit sector. Rod worked for four years as Chief Financial Officer at the Capital Area Food Bank before joining LEDC in Washington DC in December 2013 also as CFO. He was proud of his professional achievements of growing the operations of the nonprofits but was particularly interested in his pro bono work with the immigrant community, helping his neighbors integrate and achieve goals of homeownership and financial independence. Rod found much fulfillment in mentoring individuals, helping them discover their potential and encouraging them to be successful in school, work, and community life. His social justice activism began while he was attending college at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. He was President of his class and led calls for educational and social reforms in his native country. His strong Catholic faith guided his life, combining prayer with action and service to others. Rod and his family were parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, attending services at St. John Neumann. During Rod’s quick battle with Pancreatic cancer, he was supported and cared for by the great medical team at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Annapolis Oncology. His sister in law Mila, his sister Minerva, and countless friends and other relatives greatly assisted him and his family. Rod’s legacy is the many lives he positively impacted through his caring generosity and kindness. Those who knew him remember a man of intelligence, hard work, and faith. He will live on in their memories and of their passing forward acts of generosity and compassion. Along with his mother Minerva, his five siblings, their families and a large extended family, Rod is survived by his wife Mercedes, his daughter Veda, the son of his heart Leo (wife Angelica), and his beloved grandchildren Kevin, Anthony, and Leslie.