Reinere J. Ignacio

Reinere John Dy Ignacio, age 39, of Rockford, IL, passed to eternal life at 10:18pm on October 28, 2011, in his home surrounded by his loving family.He battled cancer and is now resting in peace in Heaven. He was born 5/26/1972 in Manila, Philippines. He is the son of Reynaldo M. and Lorna D. Ignacio.He lived in the Rockford area for 26 years.He proudly served for the U.S. Navy and was awarded United States Navy Achievement Medal in 1995.He graduated from the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign with a degree in Cell and Structural Biology.He was a Research and Development Scientist for 9 years at Thermo Fisher Scientific before switching to their Large Volume and Custom business department 3 years ago as their Direct Sales Account Manager. During his time with Thermo Fisher, he successfully acquired US Patent No. 7,407,800: Method for the isolation of intact mitochondria from cells. He was also a member of the following organizations: Kiwanis International, American Society of Cell Biology, American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Board of Directors for the Discovery Center,Nanotechnology Science Initiative Committee at the Discovery Center, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, The Protein Society,Coordinator and Science Advisor for the Science Explorer Post 246 , Service Team Chair for the Ranger District, Biosciences Division Presidents 100% Club, He was the chairman of the National Science Careers Exploring Committee.Under his leadership, he and his committee established the first National Science Exploring Academy in 2007 which was held at the NASA Johnsons Space Flight Center in Houston, TX. In addition to his technical publications, he had a wonderful creative side: two of his poems were published in a book of poetry.He was also included in the Whos Who in America 2003.Thermo Fisher also sent his photograph to the producers office of the latest Spiderman movie so that they could have a reference of a scientist analyzing a Western Blot result.He hoped to have a cameo as a potential nemesis.JHe is a member of Holy Family Church.He is survived by Mother and Father, Lorna and Reynaldo; brothers, Ryan (Colleen) and Raymond (Amanda sisters, Lorelyn (Rodney) and Lalaine(Doug nephews, Nicholas, Nathaniel, Neil, Cedric, Connor; niece, Angela; many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the US and the Philippines including, Jhun, Lourdes, Joanne, Jason, Alex, Jaden, Penny, Ellen, Pinky, Mike, Stephanie, Kaymia, Manny, Alex, Aaron, Alyssa, Reggie, Rhex, Claire, and countless friends.Reinere put his familys and friends needs ahead of his own, and he loved and touched many lives.He will always be remembered for his jokes and loving personality.He enjoyed watching movies and supporting his nephews and niece at their sporting events and plays.We have all become better in every aspect of life for having spent time with you.We love you and you will always be in our hearts and thoughts.We know that you will always be watching over us and we will see you again. Funeral Mass at 11am Wednesday November 2, 2011 in Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Andrew Mulcahey officiating.Visitation from 5pm until 8pm Tuesday November 1, 2011 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home 3910 North Riverside Chapel with rosary at 7:45.Visitation also from 10am until time of service Wednesday in the church.Cremation to follow.Entombment at 11am Thursday November 3, 2011 in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.