Roberto Muñiz

Roberto was the beloved husband of Rosenda, cherished son of Benito (deceased) and Gonzala, loving father of Sylvia, David (Ginia Oviedo), Danny and Laura, dearest grandpa of Danny, Juli, Matthew, Xol and Gaia, beloved brother of Consuelo, Macario, Rafaela, Paula, Gloria, Graciela, Blanca, Tony, Linda, and Victor (deceased), fond uncle of many many nieces and nephews, dedicated soccer coach to many, and superfan and honorary Grandpa to many more, Roberto Muniz passed away surrounded by the immeasurable amount of love that he gave, reflected back to him by the many people’s lives he touched. As one of 11 siblings, Betito came to Chicago from Mexico when his father took a risk in search of a better life for his children. Though at first he struggled due to language barriers, he soon made Pilsen, Chicago, and the United States his home. Making this transition easier and epically worthwhile, as fate would have it, he met Rosenda Gonzalez at Harrison High. Beto and Rosa danced, laughed, partied, loved, and quickly discovered they would be inseparable. It was the beginning of a lifelong love that would grow and radiate into a beautiful family and a chain of friends and loved ones that would continue to grow until the end. 1974 was a banner year for Beto and Rosa as it was the year their romance became a partnership as they celebrated their marriage and the arrival of Sylvia. Two years later, in 1976, they would welcome David, then Daniel in 1980, and last, but certainly not least, Laura in 1985. As his young family grew, Beto knew he would make another move. It was his turn to take a risk and move away, though not quite so far. He and Rosa worked hard to save and buy a house in Chicago Ridge, where, like his father before him, Beto set out to find a better life for his children. He proudly moved his growing family into a beautiful home with a gigantic backyard, plenty of mature trees, and a swing set. In the backyard of the home on Hyland Place, Beto and Rosa would watch their children run, jump, climb trees, play hide and seek, practice pitching against the trees, and learn to love playing soccer. In the halls of that house, Beto and Rosa nurtured their children with boundless love and unmatched compassion. Through diapers, baptisms, potty training, lost baby teeth, first communions, bumps and bruises, homework, band and soccer practice, the heartache of first loves lost, graduations and missteps, together they were always there, to laugh with, wipe away the tears, and to stand strong with arms open. When times got tough, Beto and Rosa got tougher. They worked hard, scraped, and sacrificed all without complaint, instead with joy. They stayed in that house, until their children had grown up, for 25 years of love, loss, joy, and heartache. Through it all, Beto was the rock, and his partnership with Rosa was a stellar example of a life well lived. Even as that chapter of life closed and his children were grown and out of the house, Beto looked to the next chapter as he and Rosa moved to Bolingbrook. He was ready for his close-up as Abuelo, or G-pa, a role he would relish. When the first grandchild, Danny, and soon after Juli was old enough to get on the soccer field, he would not reprise the role of official coach, as he did for his children and so many others in the 80s and 90s when Roberto became lovingly known as Coach Bob. Back then, Coach Bob, Coach John (Juan Gaytan), and a few other dear friends created a soccer league where there wasn’t one. Bridgeview Indoor Soccer became a sensation and provided years of Saturday soccer for dozens and dozens of children and their families. While he wouldn’t be the official coach for the next generation of Muniz ballers, he did coach from the stands, quickly becoming the team grandpa, attending nearly every game and supporting not only his grandchildren but the entire team with encouragement and love. We cannot capture in so few words, nor in a novel’s length, the love and joy that Roberto has brought to so many lives. Roberto is survived by his wife, children, family, and a seemingly endless list of loved ones. “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly requesting that you donate to the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, or a charity of your choice in Roberto’s name. Please use the following links if you'd like to make an honorary donation: American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/donate.html American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give Visitation and celebration of life will be on Monday, January 29th, from 3 PM - 8 PM at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, January 30th, at 10:30 AM at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 440 East Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. The internment is scheduled for 1 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 87th Street & South Hamlin Avenue, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805. Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.

Roberto Muñiz

June 3, 1950 - January 24, 2024