Romeo Julian Aguilera

Romeo Julian Aguilera, age 25, of Rockford, Illinois passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024. He was born in Woodstock, Illinois on March 26, 1999, to Leslie Torres & Juan R. Aguilera. The family moved to Rockford, Illinois in 2001, where Romeo spent his childhood. He graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 2017. Romeo earned an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Rock Valley College, followed by a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Illinois University. He started an internship at Ingersoll in 2022 before they hired him on as an engineer.

Romeo played soccer most of his life. He enjoyed lifting weights and spotting friends, playing video games, fishing (even if he couldn't catch anything), and building Lego sets. He kept parts of his collection on his desk at home. Romeo was a homebody, and loved relaxing in his snuggie hoodie and hanging out with close friends and family. He loved cooking (not) burnt burgers and steaks, eating Lino's pizza, Hot Cheetos & Valentina Hot Sauce. He always greeted you with a smile, he was empathetic, kind and genuine, always trying to make the people around him feel happy. He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. Romeo was always tired to the point that he was already looking forward to retirement even though he had just started his career. The people who knew and loved Romeo will miss his giant smile, his tight hugs, laughing at his burnt Snuffleupagus eyelashes and Chia-pet hair.

He will be greatly missed by his mother, Leslie Torres; his father, Juan R. Aguilera; siblings Janessa Aguilera, Jaedan R. Aguilera, Nevaeh Aguilera; grandparents Maria C. Barrera, Maria Miranda, & Pablo Miranda; great-grandmas Virginia Mejia & Tomasita Aguilera; aunts & uncles Maria (Zeferino) Morales, Jessica (Travis) Lee, Maria (Larry) Norsworthy, Victoria (Edgar) Ruano, & Jose (Rachel) Torres; his beloved partner Perla Benitez; and his loyal best friend, Sal (his dog). He also leaves behind many cousins, friends, and people whose lives he touched.

A visitation will take place Friday, October 18th, 2024, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Life Church – South Campus in Rockford, Illinois, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 pm. A burial and graveside service will be held at 2:45 pm at Belvidere Cemetery in Belvidere, Illinois, followed by a repast back at Life Church – South Campus.

Family and friends will be wearing blue as it was Romeo’s favorite color. Feel free to join us in wearing blue.

Memories from Romeo's family:

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Dearest Son Romeo,

I am grateful for the 25 years, I had with you.

God truly blessed me with an angel of a son. All your accomplishments made me the proudest mother! I will always remember our talks after work on your way to the gym, the way you loved and respected me and how you spoiled me. I pray you are resting happily, in heaven with your family and friends. You will always be loved to the moon and back and forever remembered.

~Love, Mother

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To my dearest brother,

Oh Romeo where do I start. I just want to start and say thank you, thank you for everything you ever did for me the love you showed me was so unconditional, you were the most sweetest person ever and anyone who ever met you knew how much of an amazing person you were. Anytime you walked into a room you would just make my day better. You were my best friend in crime. Thank you for always picking up my phone calls & text whenever I needed you I’m gonna miss you so much. My future kids will always know who their future “ Tio Romeo” is. Please give me the strength to keep going. I will take care of mom forever and always. I love you my Romeo. Forever us three against the world.

~Janessa

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"For the memories, for the moments, for the little things” is what romeo and I would tell each other. I’ll treasure every memory and every little moment we created together, until meet again. I’ll see you soon my angel.

~Perla

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Your big smile traveled miles, your hugs gave comfort, we miss you, we love you, we will remember you forever. Love you.

~Vicky

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I enjoyed the time we spent wish we could have spent more time together and let u cook me more WELL done beef patties you will be truly missed and loved always.

~Love, uncle Larry

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My dear Romeo,

How I wish the circumstances were different. I am so happy that I got to spend the time I had with you. I will forever remember our last moments together and how happy you were of your new apartment. You gave me a walk through of everything. Every closet, every cabinet and all of your decorating ideas and plans. I’m so proud of you my baby boy, I always was and always will be. I love you so much and I will see you later my dear angel.

~Love you Always, you’re Tia Mia

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Mijo,

Has dejado un gran vacio en mi vida y corazón. Vuela muy alto mi niño. Tu eres la estrella que me ilumina en la noche y en el amanecer. Eres mi angel que siempre me cuidarás and pretejeras en el camino de mi vida. Descansa en paz. Nana te quiere tanto. Siempre estarás en mis oraciones. Que descanses en pas mi niño.

~Con mucho amor, tu Nana

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Romeo,

I will miss you. These last two nights that I have been at work, I have been imagining that you are riding shotgun with me in my semi truck. Till’ we see each other again. Love you God Son!!!!

~Tio Jose

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I will forever remember when I came to Nana’s house you would let me play GTA with you when you were home. You will always have a spot in my heart. Miss you Romeo. Love you.

~JJ

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Something that I am going to miss from my brother Romeo is how he would never fail to lift me up every time I would see him. I could be so upset and one “ hi sister “ and hug from him would take that away. He would notice when something was off and he would try his very best to make me feel better in any way. I’ll miss all of the laughs with him, the tears we shared when he was trying to make me feel better. He never failed to treat my sisters and I like queens. Romeo was genuinely the best guy I have ever met. Everyone who has met him never fails to say the same. Although he is no longer with us physically he will forever be with us spiritually and in our hearts. He was a huge role model on everyone in his life and definitely took on a special role in everyone’s life because that’s just the person he was.

~Nevaeh

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With heartfelt remembrance of Romeo, or ‘Rebo’ as I called him growing up. His presence was a big part of my life, and I’ll always cherish the memories we shared. I will forever love and miss you cousin. Your warmth and kindness will forever remain within my heart.

~Elisa

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Am so sad you left us. But I will always have you in my heart you will always be my favorite nephew.

I just keep thinking of all the good times we all had with you and until we meet again love you Romeo.

~Tia Jessica