Jaime Solarte passed away peacefully, surrounded by beloved family members, on January 6, 2026, in Oak Lawn.

He was born on April 11, 1956, in Cali, Colombia, and was one of 13 children born to the late Saulo and Marina (née Carvajal) Solarte. He spent his childhood in Colombia, immigrated to the United States in 1973, then resided in Carpentersville and Hoffman Estates.

Jaime was a graduate of DeVry University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management.

His love of life and family came across in everything he did. He was a loving husband, a caring father, a joyful abuelo, and a devoted brother, uncle, and friend. He was known for his loyalty, strong work ethic, and unwavering dedication to those he loved. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and took great pride in doing so.

Jaime was a longtime and faithful member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Dundee, where he served his congregation as an elder. His Christian faith guided his life, shaped his values, and was evident in the way he treated others – with kindness, humility, and compassion.

He married Cynthia L. (née Bedard) Solarte on November 4, 1978. Their marriage was a true example of partnership and balance. They gave each other strength and true, unwavering support at all times and at all costs. Cindy provided even more support and love during the last months when Jaime’s health was declining. She was always there to help and put Jaime’s needs before her own. Their steadfast partnership lasted 47 years.

Jaime’s sons, Kurt, Kris, and Kevin, were at the center of his life. He always had time for them and led by example. He helped the boys with schoolwork, taught them how to fix cars, and spent many hours on the sidelines of their sporting events. He celebrated their many milestones over the years, including the role of father of the groom. He taught his sons the value of hard work, generosity and integrity. He was so proud of the adults they became.

His grandchildren, Bella and Hayden, will remember him as being the best abuelo who was always up for a beach day, playing cards, and being the only adult willing to jump off the pier into the freezing ocean water below. There’s no way to overstate the love that Bella and Hayden had for him.

He loved doing projects and keeping busy. Many houses were improved with his home renovation skills. His attention to detail and perfection was unmatched – much to the chagrin of whomever was his helper at times! He could always be relied upon to lend a helping hand.

Jaime, along with Cindy, enjoyed traveling internationally. Some of their most recent destinations included Bali, New Zealand, and many cities in Australia. They often shared these adventures with family and good friends. Jaime was always up for an adventure – ranging from sunrise hikes to even riding camels in the Australian outback. He would happily sample any meal of an “unusual” local cuisine.

He passed on family tales and traditions to the younger generations with his childhood stories of growing up in Colombia, including the one that frequently mentioned him going to school “uphill both ways” on a regular basis. He taught his family how to make traditional Colombian food like pandebonos and arepas. Many happy mornings were spent making these foods together, and this tradition will live on.

Jaime had the rare gift of truly making people feel special and heard, and always made time for anyone who needed it. He will live in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Cynthia L. (née Bedard) Solarte. He also leaves behind his cherished sons, Kurt (Briana) Solarte, Kris Solarte, and Kevin (Connor) Solarte; and his treasured grandchildren, Isabella and Hayden, who brought him immense joy. Additional survivors include his sisters, Luisa Garcia, Carmen Solarte, Luz Marina (Luis) Carvajal, and Maria Elena (Israel) Hernandez; and his brothers, Saulo (Gladiz) Solarte, Carlos “Javier” (Mary) Solarte, Luis Solarte, and Victor (Lisa) Solarte; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.