Simeon Gipala Comillas Jr., 88, passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife
Leonisa Carbonilla Comillas on Sunday, August 3, 2025 with their daughter Maria Leah Comillas.
Simeon was born on March 25, 1937 to Albina Comillas and Simeon Comillas Sr. in Surigao City, Philippines to his parents Simeon Sr. and Albina. Simeon Jr. completed his collegiate studies being self supported, utilizing his talents acquiring multiple odd jobs.
He met his beloved wife Leonisa, who was recently from the United States as a registered nurse, while she was working in a local hospital and Simeon Jr's mother Albina, was ill. It was a true and endless love at first sight for him. He pursued Leonisa and finally won her heart. They got married on January 18, 1969 in Davao City.
A year after, they were blessed with a daughter, Maria Leah Comillas who also became a nurse. A year later, they were blessed with a son, Symon Caesar Comillas.
Leonisa worked several jobs in the US as a registered nurse, while Simeon Jr. was left in the Philippines to care and work for their children, with help and support of several family and friend too much to mention.
The entire family was all united in 1991 and they resided in Hyde Park, Chicago for over 25 years, until they moved in to stay with their daughter in bolingbrook.
Simeon Jr. is a linguistic. He knows several, if not all, dialects in the Philippines. He also knows a bit of Spanish. He studied to speak Niponggo which is the Japanese language. He was constant leaner, always hungry to know even at his advanced age.
With the dawn of cell phones and Facebook, he was initially hesitant to get into it. But eventually when he learned about the convenience of having a cell phone and Messenger, he was so thankful. He would regularly check on his nieces and grand nieces and his brother, Manuel Comillas who is living in the Philippines.
Simeon Jr. was a very caring father, husband and friend. As a father, he sacrificed sleepless nights to care for his children while Leonisa was working in the US. He was a loving, supportive and caring father. As a husband, he was very protective of Leonisa. Simeon Jr. did not let Leonisa cook nor wash dishes. Simeon Jr. was a very good cook and a wonderful host in his healthier years. As a friend, he was very accommodating and helpful to all especially the new Filipino nurses who arrived to Chicago. He can talk and be friends to everyone and anyone. Simeon Jr. is sweetly called "Tatay" by all which means "dad" in Filipino language. He was everyone's father.
Simeon became a permanent resident of Bolingbrook Illinois since 2014, staying with their daughter.
Simeon Jr. is survived by his wife Leonisa Carbonilla Comillas, his daughter Maria Leah Comillas and his son Symon Caesar Comillas (wife Marlene). Simeon Jr. has 3 grandchildren: Christian Comillas, Adam Patrick Manuel and Alliyah Faith Manuel, all of whom he was very proud of. He is also survived by his brother Manuel Comilas.
Simeon Jr. is preceded in death by his parents, Simeon and Albina Comillas, his brother, Zoilo Comillas; his sisters Lourdes Comillas, Suina Comillas, Milagros Comillas Sacay and Estella Comillas Ty.
Visitation Thursday August 7, 2025 4pm to 8 pm.
Funeral Friday, August 8th, 9:15am from McCauley Sullivan Funeral Home 530 W. Boughton St. Bolingbrook IL 60440 to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2003 Hassert Blvd, Naperville, IL Mass 10:00am. .
Interment Resurrection Catholic Cemetery (Romeoville).
A Celebration of Love and Life reception will follow.
Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and endless prayers for Simeon Comillas Jr. and his family.