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Richard Vazquez passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the age of 26. Devoted Father of Alicia Vazquez and Elise Vazquez. Loving Son of Freddy Vazquez and Carmen Cruz. Dear Brother of Manuel DeJesus, Destiny Petrov, Vanessa Vazquez, Freddy Vazquez and Alize Vazquez. Fond Uncle of Sheymalis DeJesus, Yaneli DeJesus, Amaya DeJesus, Phillip Ortiz, Armani Rosario and Delani Holloway. Fond Nephew of Richard Vazquez. Fond Cousin of Cruz, Vazquez and Rosado Families. Loving Boyfriend to Karol Loza. Richard will be best remembered as “DJ Rich Ali”.
When asked what it means to be noble Richard effortlessly says it means “to be different. Not different in a bad way, but different as in making an impact on life itself.” And he did just that. Richard Vazquez was born on November 30, 1994 to Freddy Vazquez and Carmen Cruz. Richard has siblings from both his father’s side and mother‘s that love him dearly. From his adolescence, Richard charmed all who knew him. With his beautiful smile and long shiny blonde hair, he was so lovable but most importantly he was Carmen’s Pussycat. He was always so active and full of life. Richard was his sister and brother’s shadow. Where Destiny went, he went. What Tato did, he did. He graduated from Jose De Diego in 2009. At Diego his teachers admired him. His ambition to do well and live his best life was always the energy he shared.
Sadly Richard lost his father Freddy Vazquez in June 2009. This was a rough time in his life. Richard loved his father deeply and with a void that no one can fill his Uncle Richard continued to try and fill those shoes and help guide Richard as if he was his very own.
He attended Noble Street College Prep from 2009 to 2013, where he excelled but more importantly to him, it’s where he developed his skills and love for basketball. You couldn’t tell him anything! He said he was the best, therefore he was the best! He idolized players like Stephan Curry. Learning and studying his craft, it made Rich a better player.
One thing we can all say about Richard is that he LOVED hard and had so much to share. He loved spending valuable time with his family and friends. From vacations, camping, barbecues, pool days, game nights, basketball games, mixing parties, or to just hanging out, Richard was the joy of it all. He always looked out for everyone. He was always here when needed. He can be the most Goofiest or the most serious depending on who’s messing with him. But majority of the time he smiled, joked, and laughed. His smile and laugh was so contagious. He wouldn’t let a gathering end without expressing his love for everyone. You can feel the love he had for his family. He gave the best hugs and the most I love yous.
Two of the biggest and most beautiful gifts he leaves behind are his daughters, Alicia and Ellyse Vazquez. One thing everyone who was close to Richard can say, is how much he loved his girls and how much he enjoyed being a dad. He was so attentive and nurturing. But oh boy did they have him wrapped around their pretty little fingers. They were his prized possessions. The way Alicia gravitated towards her father and looked up to him you just knew she was a daddy’s girl. Ali and Elly made Richard feel whole. He was the definition of a “girl dad”. He stood by it and he loved it. That’s who he was.
Richard had a great passion for music. And not just a passion, he had talent! From mixing to taking over a crowd, becoming DJ RichAli was more than just a name. Rich was all about having and spreading positivity, laughter, and joy. He wanted to make sure wherever he was people had a smile on their face and a drink in their hand. He always said, “I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.” He loved celebrating and living life. But his dream didn’t stop there. He would talk to family about how he wanted to continue being the man his girls could be proud of. Richard was on the verge of joining the Chicago Fire Academy. He not only wanted to be one of Chicago’s finest DJs but he also wanted to be a first responder. Always putting others before himself he wanted to walk the fine line of being a fireman one day. And he would’ve been a damn good one too!
One thing I know Richard would want us to remember him by is how much he was different. Not different in a bad way, but different as in making an impact on life itself. Showing and sharing love, joy, and positivity should be at the center of who you are. Being united as a family and never letting anything keep us apart for too long. Richard was the glue to his brothers, sisters, and cousins. He was a joy to his aunts and uncles. But overall, I think we can all agree he definitely was, our favorite!
Family and Friends are to gather for the Visitation Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, Illinois 60162 (Located between Mannheim and Wolf Road). Funeral to follow Monday, May 24, 2021 from Russo’s Hillside Chapels at 9:00 a.m. proceeding to The Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 1101 23rd Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois 60160. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated promptly at 10:00 a.m. Interment Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, Niles, Illinois. For additional information call (708) 449-5300. Please visit Richard’s personal tribute website at www.russohillsidechapels.com and sign his guestbook.
Despite new CDC guidelines, Effective May 13, 2021, Russo’s Hillside Chapels requires ALL INDIVIDUALS entering the Funeral Home, regardless of your vaccination status, to wear a mask or facial covering.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
We ask that you exit the funeral home after paying your respects so that all visitors have an opportunity to do the same. Please refrain from bringing food or beverages into the funeral home. The coffee room is not available at this time.
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