Nicanor Isla Gomez, a long-time Elmhurst resident, passed away in his sleep on Sept. 8, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. Known as Nic to his friends and family, he was born to Antonio and Asuncion (Isla) Gomez on February 27, 1936 in Taal, in the Philippine Province of Batangas. Nic was the fourth of seven children, with two sisters and four brothers. He attended Mapúa Institute of Technology (now Mapúa University) in Manila, Philippines and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering.
After graduating, Nic moved to Toronto, where he met his wife, Lucita Somcio. Nic and Lucy were married in Chicago in 1970. They moved from Toronto to the Chicago area in 1972, before settling down in Elmhurst in 1976. Nic worked as an engineer and chemist in the Chicago area until his retirement in 1996, including nearly 18 years as a color chemist at Ferro Corporation. While living in Elmhurst, Nic developed a passion for golf, and played or watched golf whenever he could. He also enjoyed watching old Western television shows, word puzzles, gardening, and spending as much time as he could with his grandsons.
Nic is survived by his daughter Lisa Gomez, son-in-law Eric Rogers, and grandsons, Robert and Zachary Rogers, of Fort Worth; his brother Pedro Gomez and sister-in-law, Gertrude Gomez, of Bolingbrook; his brother Rogelio Gomez, of Taal, Philippines; his sister Florencia Mandigma and brother-in-law, Reynaldo Mandigma, of Homestead, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Asuncion Gomez; his wife, Lucita Gomez, his brothers, Vincente Gomez and Edelberto Gomez, and his sister, Benilda Salonga.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019 from 3 to 8 p.m., at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 South Spring Road, in Elmhurst. A funeral prayer service will be held at Ahlgrim Funeral Home on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9:15 a.m., followed by a procession to Mary Queen of Heaven Church, 426 N. West Avenue in Elmhurst, where the Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Burial service will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road in Hillside. For more information, call (630) 834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com.
