Manuel Felipe Gonzalez

Manuel Felipe Gonzalez of Palatine, Illinois passed peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the age of 92. He was born August 20, 1930 in Lima, Peru to Marcelino and Margarita (née Merkel) Gonzalez. He grew up there with his mother and two sisters in a neighborhood called Pueblo Libre. Felipe is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Beatriz (née Restrepo); three treasured daughters, Betty (Greg) Buccieri, Regina (Jeff) Petersdorff, and Claudia Peters; four loving grandchildren, Isabella, Gabrielle, Lars, and Stella; sister, Maruja (née Gonzalez) McKenzie; and two nephews, Germán (Giuliana) McKenzie and Alex (Patricia) McKenzie. He is preceded in death by his father, Marcelino Gonzalez; mother, Margarita (née Merkel) Gonzalez; sister, Marcella Gonzalez; brothers-in-law, Hugo McKenzie and Jaime “Jimmy” Restrepo; and sister-in-law Marguerite “Peggy” (née Bartelson). Felipe immigrated from Peru to the United States in 1957 and began working for Rotary International in Evanston. It was there he met his future wife who, just by coincidence, had immigrated into the same port (from her native country, Mexico) on the same day as him and had begun working at the same company also on the same day as him. Felipe retired from Rotary in the late 90’s as Manager, Latin American Department. Felipe was a dear husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He thoroughly enjoyed his wife’s cooking. His favorite meal of hers was lomo saltado con papas fritas. His daughters have fond memories of watching weeknight sitcoms as young children with him. Two of his favorites were Three is Company and Welcome Back Kotter. He would laugh and laugh so much that one couldn’t help but laugh with him. Later in life, Felipe enjoyed tinkering on his computer and watching tennis and fútbol on TV. He would follow the World Cup intently, wins and losses, every 4 years when it came around. He especially enjoyed his biweekly Saturday afternoon lunches with his longtime friends. He was a cherished grandfather to his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart and was so very proud of. Services will be held privately. Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor to Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org.