Hermilo O. Jazmines

Hermilo “Milo” O. Jazmines passed suddenly on Sunday, February 28th at the age of 74. While his death was untimely, his life was most certainly not. Milo lived a life dedicated to family, purpose, kindness and love.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Milo was the son of Dr. Vicente and Soledad (Nee: Ocampo) Jazmines. He was the younger brother of Vicente Fortunato. The family loved watching basketball games and going to Bingo nights together.

Milo attended San Beda School from grade school to high school. He went on to finish pre-med and medical school at the University of Santo Thomas. He also completed his internship at Clark Air Base. It was at UST where he met his future wife of almost 50 years, Lydia Dizon.

In 1973 with one suit case, a few hundred dollars, and a camera, Milo and Lydia made the move to start their careers and family in the United States. First stop was Milwaukee, where Milo & Lydia interned at Deaconess Hospital. Living just one year in Wisconsin was long enough for Milo to become an avid, life-long Brewers and Packers fan. Milo and Lydia then moved to Tennessee to complete their residency terms at the University of Knoxville. Milo’s speciality was Obstetrics and Gynecology and Lydia’s was Pediatrics. It was in Knoxville, where Milo and Lydia’s oldest child, Paul Vincent, was born in 1974.

The family then moved to the Chicago suburb of Joliet, IL where they had their youngest child, Melissa Ann, in 1979. Joliet is where Milo began his private OB/GYN practice that successfully sustained over 30 years of business. During this time, he was named Chief of Medical Staff at St. Joseph’s Provena Hospital. Always dedicated to the pursuit of learning and expanding his knowledge, Milo went back to school at the University of St. Francis to earn his Masters in Health Care Administration and his Masters in Business Administration.

While his career was a great focus of Milo’s life, it was not his only focus. His true love was his family. Milo worked tirelessly for his family. He loved to spend time with his loved ones. From coaching his son’s soccer teams to attending his daughter’s recitals, Milo always worked with the time he had to be there for his children growing up. He also loved to explore Europe, enjoy cruises and spend his summer days gardening with Lydia by his side.

In 2006, upon retiring from private practice, Milo relocated to Lutz, Florida to complete the final stage of his career as a Medical Director at WellCare-Centene. With his children married, his family grew to include his son-in-law Billy, daughter-in-law, Rebecca and five grandchildren, William Charles, Isabella Corazon, Amelia Grace, Jacob Vincent and Eleanor Rose. He continued to enjoy traveling to and with his apos (Filipino for grandchildren), taking them shopping, to the park or to the movies and always making time for ice cream afterward.

Milo enjoyed many hobbies in his life, from sports and fishing to movies and exploring new foods and restaurants. He will be always remembered for his dedication to his family, kind soul, quick wit and teasing sense of humor. Most of all, he will always be remembered as “Our Lolo” (Filipino for Grandpa).

In his life, our Lolo Milo wished for three things that we hope will be carried on by all. For continued love and friendship, to have quality family time and to not lose faith in God no matter what hardship may be bestowed.

Memorial services for Milo are currently postponed and will be held later this year in Chicago, IL.