Dominic Refugio Delgado (Zu)

Dominic Refugio Delgado (Zu), U.S. Army Veteran, passed away peacefully surrounded by his Loving Family on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the age of 78. Beloved Husband for a Loving 53 years to Cristina Flores-Delgado. Devoted Father of Adrian Agustin Delgado and Nina D. (Brad) Fischel. Loving Son of the late Dominic Gilbert (the late Ninfa) Delgado and the late Guadalupe (the late Ruben) Liceaga. Fond Grandfather of Bella Cristina Fischel. Dear Brother of Mary Ellen (the late Michael) Nieto, Esther (Margarito) Colegio, Ruben (Pam) Liceraga, Carla (the late Eli) Glassman, the late Gilbert (Kristine) Delgado, Manuela (Bill) Severson, Alejandro (Carol) Liceaga, Lydia Delgado-Garcia, the late Blas (Cathy) Liceaga, Elivira (Guadalupe) Reyna, Linda (Michael) Boyce, Antonio (Robin) Liceaga, Valentina (the late Naresth) Perez, John (Dana) Liceaga, and Ninfa Irene (Scott) Sadler. Dear Uncle of many nieces and nephews. Dominic was the owner for over 30 years of Delgado Erectors, Inc. He was a proud member of Iron Workers Local 1.

Dominic enjoyed reading, especially history and mysteries, solving sodoku, crossword puzzles, and loved to golf, whether it was in Acapulco, Naples, Florida, Illinois, or at Gun Lake in Michigan with his son, brothers and golf buddies.  He loved spending time with his granddaughter, Bella Cristina, taking walks, playing hide-go-seek, listening to her read one of her favorite books. When no one was looking, they had a playful banter of sticking their tongues out at each other, and then “telling” on the other.

He was proud to have served in the Army, a paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War during which he was injured in a helicopter attack.

He was past president (twice) of HACIA, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. He left his mark on Chicago’s landscape either as a Local 1 Ironworker or contractor:  Michigan Avenue bridge, Wells Street Bridge over Wacker Drive, including many others throughout the Chicagoland area, O’Hare International Terminal, McCormick Place West Expansion, “Sears Tower”, John Hancock, Northwestern Prentice Hospital, just to name a few.

He attended Central Missouri State University and Northern Illinois University. 

His favorite color was red, favorite snack was pretzels that he ate while watching a Sox or Bears’ game with his son and looked forward to the next barbeque at the Fischel home.  He enjoyed walking and dancing while listening to his favorite mariachi music. 

He was very sociable, talking to young or old, other vets, even strangers. One of his favorite pastimes was having a vodka martini with his wife, his childhood sweetheart, of fifty-three years, while dining on Fifth Avenue in Naples or with lifelong friends in Illinois.

During his illness, he was content to be home near family and friends watching Tom Clancy action movies, ESPN, and the History Channel on television.

He was courageous in his battle with pancreatic cancer demonstrating his determination to fight with all the strength he had. He left this world proud of his accomplishments as a father, businessman and soldier.

Family and friends are to gather for the Visitation and Funeral Service on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 9:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL 60162 (located between Mannheim & Wolf Road). Chapel Service of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at Russo’s Hillside Chapels. Interment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.

Please Omit Flowers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and/or Paralyzed Veterans of America

REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, you will be required to wear a face mask or facial covering to enter the building.