Obituary of ENGR. RODOLFO ROLF F. ILUSTRE

Rodolfo Rolf Fegidero Ilustre

November 10, 1963 – September 9, 2025
 

Born on November 10, 1963, in Bacolod City, Philippines, Rolf came into the world as a beloved son of Rodolfo of Manapla and Aurhea of Bacolod City. He grew up in a big, tightly woven family of five siblings, learning early the values of faith, service, and love for others.

He finished high school in the hills of Baguio City and pursued engineering studies in university to become a Licensed Civil Engineer. In the Philippines, he poured himself into the work of roads and schools, bridges and water systems - with the City Government of Bacolod, the Department of Public Works and Highways provincial department, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and at Bacolod City Water District. Each plan drawn, each structure raised, carried with it his desire that communities might flourish.

In 1997, Rolf’s journey carried him to Malaysia, where he served as Project Site Engineer with a construction and engineering firm.  There, he oversaw slope rehabilitation and stabilization works along the Melaka–Singapore Highway. He supervised drainage and Reno gabion construction, trenchless technologies like pipe jacking, micro tunneling, and horizontal directional drilling for utilities -laying water mains, sewers, and gas pipelines. He also designed and prepared plans, estimates, and contract documents, calculating capacities and shaping systems that would serve whole communities. His hands and mind built not only infrastructure, but pathways of connection and flourishing.

In 2005, Rolf and his wife, Judy Apolinario, made their way to Canada, joining family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Here, his life’s work widened - retail, construction, community service, then with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and more recently with Service Canada. At Service Canada, he worked humbly in the mail room, and he often shared how grateful he was for the lessons of simplicity and thanksgiving in all things. His calling stretched across the Philippines, Malaysia, and Canada - building harbors and highways, homes and hope. Yet what he built most faithfully was not only with stone or steel - it was with kindness, generosity, and a steady faith in Christ.

Rolf was a man of both skill and soul. He carried an engineer’s mind but lived with a pilgrim’s heart - quiet, steadfast, generous, always pointing back to the One who is our firm foundation.

He delighted in life’s simple mercies: long roads traveled, a bicycle leaning into the wind, trails where sky and earth kissed, the strum of his guitar, the lift of his song. These were not small hobbies, but holy thanksgivings, his hymns to the Giver of every good gift.

He is held in love by his wife, Judy; his brother Ruel Renzi of Winnipeg; his sisters Ruby (Victoriano Perez) of Vancouver, Regie of Bacolod, Rerie (Fernando Resendes) of Winnipeg, and Rachel (Ernesto Pasague) of Winnipeg. His nieces Michelle and Aurhey Rose of Bacolod, Victoria of Vancouver, and Rhea, Andrhea, and Danielle of Winnipeg, and his nephews Ryan and Victor of Vancouver, and Ernest and John of Winnipeg, carry his memory as a blessing.

Rolf’s life was one long witness that faith is not only confessed but lived. He served, he sang, he built, he loved—and in all of it, he pointed toward Christ, who is making all things new.

“Blessed are those who die in the Lord; yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them.” — Revelation 14:13 (NLT)

Celebration of Life and visitation to take place on Friday, September 12, 2025 from 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Final viewing will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, with interment to follow at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Avenue.

ZOOM INFORMATION:

Celebration of Life
Rodolfo Rolf F. Ilustre

Memorial Service
     Friday, September 12, 2025
        6 – 7:30 PM Central
        4 – 5:30 PM Pacific
        5 – 6:30 PM Mountain
        7 – 8:30 PM Eastern
        8 – 9:30 PM Atlantic

     Saturday, September 13, 2025
        7 – 8:30 AM Philippines

Interment Service
     Saturday, September 13, 2025
        3 – 3:30 PM Central
        1 – 1:30 PM Pacific
        2 – 2:30 PM Mountain
        4 – 4:30 PM Eastern
        5 – 6:30 PM Atlantic

     Sunday, September 14, 2025
        4 – 4:30 AM Philippines


Click link to join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89452209890?pwd=5QB1rVRBfs7WHBb3qZzdw9BQsts1tB.1

Meeting ID: 894 5220 9890
Passcode: praise
 

We would be so grateful if you could gather with us, hearts knit together across time zones, to remember and celebrate the gift of Rolf’s life. Let us lift high the name of Jesus, our Redeemer and Living Hope, as we tell His goodness in Rolf’s story.

If you can, please join in 15 minutes before the time. Thank you.