Pilsen Food Pantry reeling from death of stalwart worker: ‘He was an angel’

Celso Dionicio Ignacio, left, stands with a group of co-workers from the Pilsen Food Pantry. The 50-year-old, who began working at the pantry during the pandemic, unexpectedly died on Saturday. (Veronica Saldaña/Provided)

Leaders and workers at the Pilsen Food Pantry are reeling from the sudden loss of a stalwart employee they say was an icon of the pantry.

Celso Dionicio Ignacio died unexpectedly Saturday from gastrointestinal bleeding, according to Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, director of the pantry and a primary care doctor at University of Illinois Health. He was 50.