Oscar G Aguilar

He was born in Santiago, Chile. Under challenging conditions, he sought to make a better life for him and his family and immigrated to the United States in 1970. He hitchhiked along the Pan-American highway, and travelled the arduous road through South and Central America reaching the United States and the city of New Orleans. There he found work, enduring long hours in harsh conditions as a construction worker. He saved and acquired enough funds to send for his young wife, Juanita and their newborn son, Marcelo. The three of them travelled north and found a home in Staten Island, New York, where they continued their pursuit of the American dream acquiring citizenship and eventually saving enough to buy their dream home. Oscar and Juanita added their second son, Michael, to their family in 1974.

Oscar raised his family in a home he was proud of. He was immensely grateful for the opportunities afforded to him in his newly adopted country, and was a loyal, hardworking immigrant and a proud American. He strongly valued the meaning of hard work, perseverance, grit and overcoming obstacles to attain your goals. These life lessons were passed onto his sons, and are carried with them to this day (and onward to their families).

Oscar was well liked and respected in the community, volunteering his time as a coach for his sons’ soccer teams. For those that knew Oscar, he will be remembered as an affable, generous man, who always wore a warm and approachable smile on his face, eager to pass along the life skills that served him well in times of personal struggle.

His later years were well spent, where Oscar and Juanita (now empty nesters) temporarily relocated to La Serena, Chile, and then Winnetka, Illinois. They finally relocated to their permanent home in Ocala, Florida.

Oscar worked tirelessly his entire life, and enjoyed a well earned retirement where he watched his sons and grandchildren grow. He also enjoyed relaxing with classical music, watching soccer on TV, and assembling puzzle after puzzle. Oscar and Juanita travelled extensively all over the world. They mostly enjoyed traveling by cruise ship, visiting countless countries along the way. In total, they amassed 48 cruises!

Oscar left this world suddenly after a diagnosis of cancer. He was in a peaceful setting, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living life to the fullest, on the back of his courage, sacrifice and struggle.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Juanita (with whom in all that time, they never went to bed without a kiss goodnight), and his two sons Marcelo and Michael, as well as his 3 grandchildren Sophia, Daniel, and Gabriel. He also leaves behind his siblings Monina, Pepe, Choche, Lucho, Juan, and Miguel.

He was a private man and did not wish for a memorial service. Please honor his memory by leaving a comment on this page.