Hilario Vazquez, Jr.

     Hilario “Larry” Vazquez Jr., 68, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on June 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

     Larry was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 17, 1956, to Hilario Vazquez Sr. He graduated from Murray F. Tuley High School in 1974 and went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. He later obtained his Master’s in Business Administration from DePaul University.

     In 1975, Larry joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served honorably until 1979, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. Stationed at the Beaufort, South Carolina Naval Air Base, he worked on navigational equipment for naval airplanes, fueling his lifelong interest in technology.

     On September 6, 1975, Larry married Carmen Gonzalez at St. Sylvester Church in Chicago, Illinois. High school sweethearts, Larry and Carmen shared 51 years of love and devotion until his passing. In addition to Carmen, Larry is survived by their son, Eric Michael Vazquez, and Eric’s wife, Maripaz. Larry was a proud and devoted “Papa” to his two grandchildren, Bella Teresa Vazquez, 17, and Cristiano Michael Vazquez, 14. He was preceded in death by his father, Hilario Vazquez Sr., and his sisters, Carmen Martinez and Nydia Hernandez.

     Larry’s career spanned 35 years at AT&T, where he held various roles, culminating in his retirement as an engineer in Network Engineering on August 15, 2024. Before joining AT&T, Larry worked as an engineer at Bally’s for 14 years, where he obtained a U.S. patent for slot machine design.

     Larry had a deep love for music, from doo-wop and rock to heavy metal and salsa. He was passionate about percussion instruments and enjoyed performing with a small musical group at neighborhood festivals and local dining venues.

Those who knew Larry will remember his boundless humor, a trait he inherited from his father and was proud to share. He believed that laughter was a powerful tool for navigating life’s challenges.

Larry’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Carmen Vazquez; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Maripaz Vazquez; grandchildren, Bella and Cristiano Vazquez; his brother, Lorenzo Vazquez; his sister-in-law, Janet Gonzalez; and his many nieces and nephews.

     There will be a memorial visitation on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 12-4pm with a memorial service beginning at 3pm at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home 6150 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60646. For information www.smithcorcoran.com or 773.736.3833.