Feliciano Perez Cabrera Jr.

Feliciano Perez Cabrera Jr., devoted husband, father and papa, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the age of 84. Feliciano was born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines on May 27, 1939. As the youngest of 11 children, Feliciano was known as "Junior" or "Jun" by all his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Feliciano Sr. & Paulina Perez Cabrera, and 8 brothers and sisters.

Jun graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Santo Tomas in 1968. He always said that he didn't get good grades but he did like to party! He emigrated to Chicago with his classmate and greatest friend, Bay Pahati, and worked for the Firestone and Nestle corporations before transitioning into pharmaceutical engineering. He worked for DuPont and G.D. Searle/Pfizer until his retirement in 2004.

Jun married Emelita Dellota Cabrera of Panitan Capiz, Philippines on June 6, 1970, in Chicago. He was revered by many friends and especially by his many family members back home in the Philippines. His earliest friends were known as the "Sunnyside" gang, having lived in a high-rise apartment on Sunnyside Avenue on the north side of Chicago. Affectionately known as the "OGs" by the next generation, these friends included Bay and Nena Pahati, Mario and Toni Pasamba, Consuelo and Nap Tan Juan and Jun and Tessie Melo. Together the OGs welcomed countless Filipino immigrants over the years and helped them navigate the US and Chicago. Jun was also very involved in the Nueva Ecija community, fundraising and celebrating Filipino heritage.

He was active in his church, Our Lady of the Wayside, where he was a longtime parishoner, having his 4 children attending school there from 1980 - 2001. Numerous Simbang Gabi gatherings were planned and celebrated at OLW, with many in the community enjoying this annual Filipino tradition at Christmas time.

If you knew Jun, you knew he was a Diehard Cubs and Bulls fan. He was a 2nd degree black belt in karate and was intimidating even in his small stature. He was a fiercely loyal friend and one of the most strong-willed people you'd ever meet. He supported countless family members back home in the Philippines, sponsoring college educations for many, many relatives. He loved entertaining friends, had incredible lechon chopping skills, enjoyed annual summer road trips to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, loved watching old western movies and playing the lottery and mah jong with friends.

Jun is survived by his wife of 53 years Emelita Cabrera; daughter Paulette Cabrera Boddy (Chris); daughter Bernadette Cabrera Hill (Keith); sons Jay Feliciano Cabrera and Anthony Robert Cabrera; grandchildren Alexandra June Boddy Drum (Maxxwell), Benjamin Aaron Boddy, Grace Elizabeth Boddy; Giovanni Mateo Hill, Sasha Ryne Hill and Reagan Emerson Hill. He is also survived by his brother, Gil Cabrera and sister Bernarda Cabrera Sanhi who still reside in Philippines, along with his many immediate relatives. Jun was loved and adored by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Visitation Monday, November 6, 2023 at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, 440 S. Mitchell Avenue, Arlington Heights, from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment private.