Rolando P. Catañag

Rolando P. Catañag, Jr., age 54, of Hanover Park, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. He was born on August 7, 1971, in the Philippines to Rolando Sr. and Elizabeth Catañag.

Rolando's story began in the Philippines, but his life truly unfolded in the United States after he arrived at just three years old. His earliest memories were shaped in Chicago-cold winters, busy streets, and the feeling of beginning again in a new country. When his family later moved to Glendale Heights, he found room to grow, make friends, and learn how to navigate life between two cultures.

Soon after finishing high school, Rolando enlisted in the United States Navy and trained at Great Lakes as an electrician's mate, proudly serving as a reservist. As he grew older, he recognized his natural talent for working with his hands. He found deep satisfaction in solving problems, repairing what others could not, and seeing the tangible results of his efforts.

The skills and discipline he gained in the Navy became the foundation for his lifelong career as an electrician-a trade he embraced with pride. He joined IBEW Local 701 as an apprentice and remained a dedicated union electrician throughout his career. Rolando was a proud and committed member of IBEW Local 701.

Rolando built a family of his own, married for 28 years, and together he and his wife raised two sons. Their early years were filled with road trips, vacations, and the kind of memories that stay bright - long drives, shared laughter, and small adventures that became family stories. Those moments remained some of the most meaningful chapters of his life.

Rolando was a man of few words, but being a father and raising his kids was something he showed in his actions rather than his words. When his kids were younger and wanted to play soccer at the local park district there was a shortage of coaches. But Rolando stepped up to be the coach for both his sons' teams for multiple seasons even though he had no prior knowledge to the game. His kids didn't need him to be a world class coach; all they needed was a coach and luckily for them this coach was also their dad and that's better than any coach in the world. If you take a closer look, Rolando's love was plentiful and could be seen in so many ways.

Outside of work, Rolando found joy in the things that kept him active and grounded. He loved the calm focus of frisbee golf and the adrenaline and camaraderie of paintball - hobbies that reflected both his precision and his playful spirit.

He is survived by his wife, Mercy "Maria"; his sons, Ryan Francis and Matthew Catañag; and his siblings Gloria (Dara) Meas, Liberty (Robert) Turner, Lorenzo (Lynn) Catañag II, and Maribeth (Mark) Evans. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, on Sunday, February 15, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 3:00 p.m.