Man was one of first Mexicans in Aurora

When Senobio Nila put down roots in Aurora more than 80 years ago, he was one of the first Mexican immigrants to do so.

Today, more than one-third of Aurora is Hispanic, and Nila is credited for helping spark that transformation.

"They were risk-takers coming to our country and not speaking the language, and hard workers," said Nila's niece Delia Nila Basile. "It was all to do with their family and to have a better life."

Nila died Friday at age 106. His family says they are celebrating a life well-lived.

"He was so gentle, and you just looked at him and saw a twinkle in his eye," Basile said. "A very quiet humble man, but yet so wise."

Nila and nine family members immigrated to the United States in 1923, finding work on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and a home in its boxcars. They became the first inhabitants of a boxcar camp that grew to 20 cars along the railroad as more workers began moving in with their families.

In 1934, Nila moved into his home on Indian Avenue, where he spent the rest of his life with numerous family members as his neighbors.

He worked for the railroad company for 45 years until he retired in 1968.

Nila's youngest son, Bob Nila of Barrington, still recalls taking train trips into Chicago every Saturday with his father.

However, his father's favorite mode of transportation was simply to walk, and those who knew him say he'd walk for miles -- to church, restaurants and family members' homes.

"That's probably why he had such a strong heart to the end," Bob said.

But what most impressed Bob about his father was his work ethic.

"He was a very hard worker and wanted to make sure he provided for his family and he did," Bob said.

In 2006, the Aurora Historical Society and the Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board paid tribute to Nila on his 105th birthday for his role in shaping the ethnic makeup of the city.

Visitation for Nila will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.