Joseph Rodriguez

Joseph Angel Rodriguez, age 91, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024, after complications from a fall. He was born April 14, 1933, in New York City, New York to Leodegario Rodriguez and Anatolia Rodriguez (nee Garcia).

Attending school in New York until 8th grade, at the age of 14, he went to live with his grandparents in Spain where he loved the view and hiking in “His beloved Folledo Mountains.” While here, he and his best friend, Julian, herded cows, by foot, even further up the mountain than what he’d normally hike. A memory he passed down through generations and a pastime that endured his lifetime!

After living abroad for 6 years, his mother booked him passage back to New York on the famous Andrea Doria cruise ship. Upon his return, he spent three years in the Army during the Korean War, which gave him a sense of pride. Not only did Spain and the military change his life, when out once with friends, he was introduced to his future wife, Anna (nee Rosa) who filled his future with cherished memories. They married in a private ceremony on March 9, 1957, followed by a honeymoon taking in the majestic views of Niagara Falls. Their love was one to look up to, and together they welcomed children: Joseph Jr., Thomas, and Sandra - three pillars he held close, valued, and was proud to call his own.

When his kids were young, they lived in Las Vegas and as a family, they traveled, enjoyed going to the theater, being a part of his work, softball games, and eating at a lot of restaurants, especially for the $2.50 prime ribs you could get at the time - Memories that bring a smile to his children when sharing the times.

Joseph’s career overlapped from a newspaper carrier supervisor for the Las Vegas Review Journal to being a poker dealer. He not only enjoyed watching others strategize as a dealer, but also like playing cards and dominoes with his family almost every weekend. And if the New York Yankees were playing ball, he’d have the TV on, cheering his favorite baseball team.

He loved his family, was a jokester, and loved life, especially travelling back to his boyhood home which was his father’s home in Folledo, Spain. It was there that after retirement, he and Anna travelled every summer until she was no longer able to accompany him. When there, best friend Julian’ family’s dogs, Jovi and Roko, were steadfast Chihuahuas at his heels and followed him every step they could. Another piece of life he truly loved. His last journey back was during the summer of 2023, when he was 90 years old.

Joseph was a man of integrity and love who gave his family a lifetime of memories to cherish.

Preceded by his bride, Anna; son, Joseph Rodriguez Jr; and brother, Leodegario Rodriguez Jr. Those left to honor his memory are sisters: Teresa Horta, Sue Orsini, and Jo-Ann (Tim) Arndt; brother, Tomas (Edie) Rodriguez; children, Thomas Rodriguez and Sandra (Terry) West; grandchildren: Nicholas McCalvin, Tyler (Kori) West, Tara West, Sara (Josh) Kratt, and Rachael West; great-grandchildren: Tressa Lord, Alivia West, Amaya Williamson, Aria West, Emerie Lidia Kratt, and Kai Joseph West; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Private services for Joseph will be held in Florida with his final resting space being in his beloved Spain.

Memorial Contributions in Joseph’s honor may be made to The American Cancer Society/Bladder Cancer at Cancer.org/DignityMemorial or P.O. Box 6704,

Hagerstown, MD 21741