Dr. Alex Villacrez, age 91 of Monroe passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 at his home. He was born February 26, 1930 the son of Zenon Villacrez and Carmen Becerra in Cusco, Peru. After high school in Cusco, Alex went on to attend Medical College in Lima, Peru, where he earned his Doctorate of Medicine in Anesthesiology. His passion to advance his mission to help others, led him to the United States to pursue his residency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was there, that he met the love of his life, Jinnine. Alex and Jinnine were united in marriage on June 27, 1959. Together they lived in Atlanta, St. Paul, and Boston building their family before making their home in Monroe, Wisconsin in 1964. Alex and his family survived the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado.

In 1976, Alex was very proud to become a citizen of the United States (proudly sponsored by long-time friends Bob and Jan Paulik). Alex worked at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, as an Anesthesiologist for 32 years from 1965-1997. During that time, he was a member of the American Medical Association, Peruvian American Medical Society, and the Wisconsin Society of Anesthesiologists. He was also very active in his community as a member of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic parish, St. Victor church, including being an avid supporter of the Apostolate to the Handicap with Father Thomas Campion. Alex was also a member of the Monroe Curling Club, YMCA and the Monroe Country Club. Alex stayed connected with his beloved homeland and dedicated himself to multiple medical missions in Peru and sponsored a school in Arequipa to benefit families in need. As a young man, Alex walked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and he made many trips back to his ancestral lands in the Andes culminating in an epic 4-day trek in 2000 at the age of 70, with his sons Joseph & Victor and his 7-year-old grandson, Joey. More trips to Peru demonstrated his love for his family and in 2007 brought all 17 family members; children, grandchildren and beautiful wife to Peru to gather as a homecoming and to create generational memories for years to come.

Along with his many accomplishments, Alex loved and cherished his family most of all. Everything he did was for the benefit of his family both in the U.S. and in Peru. Few could match his deep commitment to help those in need and Alex instilled this compassion for others in his children and grandchildren. Many traditions have been passed on to the next generations including; his love for the outdoors, curling, skiing, bird watching, camping in the front yard and the Christmas Eve bon fire. He enjoyed playing and watching soccer and loved hiking the Andes.

Alex is survived by his children; Joseph (Jodi) Villacrez of Tomah, Victor Villacrez of Madison, Steven (Vicki) Villacrez of Lodi, and Vanessa (Tom) Doescher of Verona; grandchildren, Devin (Erika) Villacrez, Erin (Tyler Cory) Villacrez, Joseph (Allyson) Villacrez III, Steven (Cheryl) Villacrez, Jacqueline (Clayton Backes) Villacrez, Dillon Villacrez, and Francesca Villacrez; and three great-grandchildren expected later this year. He is further survived by his siblings, Eloy (Anna Maria) Villacrez, Victor Hugo Villacrez, Petronila Villacrez, and Senovia (Edwin) Bedregal; and many extended relatives in Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa, Peru.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jinnine; brother, Cesar, and sister Elisbeth.

Visitation will be held from 10 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at St. Victor’s Catholic Church service to follow with Father Moon officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Monroe. The Villacrez family would like to thank all his caregivers, who developed a special bond with Alex, caring for him in the last year of his life as well as long-time neighbor, Joanne Weeden & Family and friends who often came to visit.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to The Madison Cusco Sister City Project and Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II, home for youth in Lurin, Peru.

Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com. -----