Elgin Butera manager dies of COVID-19, wife recovering
The manager of a Butera grocery store in Elgin died Thursday, a day after his wife was taken off a ventilator at the same hospital where they were being treated for COVID-19.
Emilio Cuahquentzi, 50, of Rockford, worked at the Butera location at Tyler Creek Plaza in Elgin. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children Paola, 20, and Josue, 23, and many relatives in Elgin, who said not being able to visit the couple at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford had been agonizing.
The family told the Daily Herald they are asking for privacy during this painful time.
"It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you that our beloved Emilio is with our Heavenly Father," said a post on a GoFundMe page designed to help the family with medical expenses and future bills.
The family was elated at the news Elizabeth was able to leave the ICU on Wednesday, a day after her 43rd birthday. A video on the GoFundMe page shows her being wheeled out by nurses to the tune of "Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti, the theme song of the movie "Rocky."
"Hope you love the video as much as we did. The family is so happy for the recovery Elizabeth has made and can't wait to have her home soon," the post said.
Emilio, who had been in good health, started feeling ill in early April and tested positive for the new coronavirus April 13, his family said. He was hospitalized April 18. Elizabeth, who tested positive April 11, had been hospitalized three days prior.
She works part-time as a cashier at Blain's Farm and Fleet in Rockford. The couple, who would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary next year, met when they worked at the Butera store at Clock Tower Plaza in Elgin.
"The Butera family and its employees are greatly saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our dear colleague and friend," the company said in a statement.
Emilio began his Butera career in 1990 at the Clock Tower location, and would have celebrated in July the 30th anniversary of his initial hire. Over the years, he worked at Butera locations in Roselle, Bartlett and Algonquin, rising to the position of store manager. At one point, he worked in construction sales with his father-in-law for about two years, then returned to Butera, his family said.
Emilio had been away from work since early April, Butera said. "We followed the ups and downs of his progress, all the while hoping and expecting his full recovery," the company said.
"We are grateful that his wife Liza, is recovering from her fight against this potentially deadly virus. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Emilio's family as we all grieve his loss."