IN LOVING MEMORY OF William Diaz

William

Diaz

January 30, 2022

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William Diaz's Obituary

William Diaz, 71, was the beloved husband of Theresa Gross-Diaz, whose life and heart

and adventures he shared for 50 years; adored brother-in-law and best friend to Jeff

Gross and Christine, Ken Gross and Sisi Sun, John Gross and Simona Balu-Gross,

Mary Kay (Gross) and Joe Cannello, Barb (Gross) and David Baiocchi; loving uncle to a

myriad of nieces and nephews, especially Sealia; half-brother to Henry; honorary family

to Patricio Izquierdo and Grace Vargas, his cherished friends and business partners;

devoted godfather to their daughters Andrea and Melanie; generous mentor and dear

friend to so many more whose lives have been enriched by the felicity of knowing him.

As a young boy William came to Chicago from his birthplace of Bogota, Colombia. A

proud citizen and a proud Chicagoan, he was a trailblazer in the finishing industry and

founder and director of several business ventures, especially Amiberica , where he had

the respect and admiration of all who had the great fortune to have worked with him. His

brilliance, artistry and uncanny ingenuity, not to mention whimsy, are evident in all of his

projects and inventions, in his businesses and at home. His tomato growing virtuosity is

legendary. As world travelers, Bill and Terry would bike through Europe, gaze at giant

tortoises in the Galapagos, feed sacred deer in Japan, encounter hippos in Ethiopia and

whales in Iceland, and generally revel in the diverse wonders of the world. Bill had the

gift of appreciating the good in people and marvelling at the greatness of the cosmos.

Words cannot express just how deeply he will be missed by so many people.

Mass at St. Alphonsus Church (Roman Catholic; all welcome), 1429 W. Wellington,

Chicago, Saturday February 26 at 10:00 am (please wear masks). Floral tributes may

be sent directly to the church. Donations in William's honor may be made to the Greater

Chicago Food Depository or to PAWS Chicago.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

February

26

St Alphonsus Church

Starts at 10:00 am