Alfonso S. Bascos August 2, 1935 – October 3, 2024

Attorney Alfonso S. Bascos, PhD, 89, born on August 2, 1935, of Morton Grove, Illinois, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024.

Alfonso was born in bucolic San Leon, Balungao, Pangasinan, Philippines, to the late Teodoro and the late Maxima Bascos. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Economics from University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon, City.

He met his wife, Thelma, in 1961 in Ilagan, Isabella, whom he would marry in 1965. Thelma first left the Philippines in 1969, then Alfonso followed in 1970 to make their fortunes in the United States. When Alfonso arrived to Chicago, he worked first as a sales correspondent with Harris Woolen Company, then as a claims adjuster for Aetna Insurance while he taught himself American law and studied for the Illinois Bar. Once he passed the Bar exam, he began his law practice, specializing in real estate, family practice, and immigration law, where he helped countless clients emigrate to the United States to pursue the American dream as he had.

Alfonso was part of Filipino wave of immigration to the Chicago in the 1960s. That collective of people would become the basis of one of the first largest Filipino- American organizations in the state. Alfonso would be elected as president of the Filipino- American Council of Greater Chicago for three terms. During his long tenure, he oversaw the growth of the community and helped define the role of its clubhouse, Rizal Center, as the gathering place for Filipinos from all over northern Illinois.

An avid traveler, Alfonso once set himself the goal of visiting at least 200 foreign countries. In this endeavor, he embarked on many great adventures, including hiking base camp at Mt Everest; walking along the Great Wall of China; floating in the Dead Sea; soaking in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon; eating cuy in Cuzco, Peru, among other journeys around the world with Thelma and family.

Even spending his later years in retirement and traveling, Alfonso had another dream to fulfill: to obtain his PhD. In 2015, and at the age of 80, he was conferred as a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Alfonso was noted to be the oldest student to ever graduate from Silliman University. His dissertation was about what he knew best: the evolution of the Filipino-American Council of Chicago.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Thelma (née Pacis), and his children: Victor John (Jacqueline), Maria Maxima (Bob), Pura Sunshine (Randy), Raine Myra, and Grace. He was a proud grandfather to AJ, Justin, and Olivia. He was a beloved brother of Mildred and Ferdinand, and is now reunited with his late brothers Teodoro and Teofilo. He was a favorite uncle of countless nieces and nephews. And surrogate father to many.