Irineo "Neo" Molina

Irineo “Neo” Molina (80) passed away on October 1, 2022, in Aurora, Illinois after a brief illness. He was born June 28, 1942 to Juliana Molina Ocon in Santa Maria del Oro Durango, Mexico. He spent his childhood in his beloved Saucillo, Chihuahua where he established life long friendships and his love for sports, especially baseball and boxing. He left his childhood home after high school to seek opportunity and education in Mexico City. He spent the 1960s living in Chiapas and Mexico City where he welcomed his first daughter Lourdes.

His motivation to prosper led him to Chicago, Illinois in 1971 where he hoped to work and save money to start a business in Mexico. Plans changed in 1972 when he met Yolanda in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Their friendship blossomed to a love built on faith and respect. They were married in 1977 and raised two daughters, Julie and Myrna. He shared his love for baseball with his daughters while playing in the Chicago Adult leagues where he had one of his happiest moments of playing and winning a game in Comiskey Park.

Irineo’s life changed in 1982 when he began to lose his eyesight. He spent the rest of his adult life adapting to deteriorating vision and eventual blindness. He sought out learning opportunities and actively furthered his education. In the process, he gained a new purpose in life as he began advocating for the visually impaired here and in Mexico. Irineo founded Club Durango Activo whose mission it is to raise funds and gather supplies for the visually impaired. Irineo gained a new sense of worth and purpose teaching Braille, mobility, and offering counseling to the blind. 

Irineo enjoyed listening to the radio and talking sports to anyone who would listen, especially about his beloved Chicago Cubs. His tall stature turned heads and his charitable nature won the hearts and respect of many. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a true example of overcoming adversity. He is survived by his wife Yolanda (Aguilera), his daughters, Lourdes (Fernando) Pasten of Mexico City, Anna Julia (Domitilo “Gordo”) Melendez, Myrna Molina (Alfonso) Santoyo; grandchildren; USMC Sergeant Sergio Molina “Tito” (Jamie), Diego, Eva, Ruby, and Pablo; as well as a large extended family of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. 

Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday October 9, 2022, from 3:00pm—7:00 PM: Dieterle Memorial, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery, IL 60538. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aurora,IL. The Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 278 Ashland Ave, Aurora, IL 60505. Donations may be made to his wife to help with expenses.