Leo Ridgeway Rodney

On March 5, 2008, Leo Ridgeway Rodney passed away peacefully after a courageous year-long battle with cancer at his daughter's home in Austin with his family by his side. Leo, 87, is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alice Mazza Rodney; his children, Susan Tyler, Robert Rodney and Rick Rodney; son-in-law, John Tyler; grandson, Patrick Tyler; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Irvin Weiss. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Hazel Ridgeway Rodney, and brother, Robert Rodney. Leo was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and proudly served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. Taking advantage of his GI Bill, he graduated from Rutgers University with a business degree in 1948. In 1955, Leo and Alice moved to Houston where he worked as a purchasing agent for Continental Can Company for 29 years and with Fluor Corporation for 3 years, retiring in 1983. Following the New Jersey shoreline traditions, Leo was an avid saltwater fisherman, long fishing the docks and shores of his native state and those of Texas, including Rockport, Galveston and South Padre Island. Whatever he caught, he gave to neighbors or cooked restaurant-quality dinners for his family and friends. A son of the "Garden State," Leo tirelessly gardened in his backyard, growing tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and beans. During his retirement, he volunteered his time at Park Plaza Hospital, Morris Frank Library, HAL-PC, and prepared free tax returns for those in need. For leisure, Leo loved to travel, satisfying his curiosity in Europe, Venezuela, Mexico and the Caribbean. His more sedentary pleasures were reading, especially murder mysteries like Margaret Truman's books, and watching shows like Murder, She Wrote and Law and Order, as well as the British comedies on PBS. Having resided in the same Houston home since 1963, Leo was a fine neighbor, often sharing with them the fruits of his culinary skills, and feeding their pets and watching their homes when away. To keep physically fit, he was a member of Chancellor's Health Club, where he worked out regularly until his move to Austin. To keep intellectually fit, Leo loved to acquire new skills, taking numerous Spanish classes, spending hours on his computer, and tracing his family history. The family received visitors at Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home in Austin on Saturday, March 8, with burial following at Austin Memorial Park. Friends and neighbors are invited to attend a celebration of his life to be held at his Houston home on Sunday, March 16, at 1:00 p.m. To support the work of those who provide loving care for our mother, Alice, memorial contributions may be made to Arden Courts Alzheimer's Assisted Living Facility, Attention: Nancy Turco, Activities Director, 11630 Four Iron Drive, Austin, Texas 78750. He was a caring husband and father, a good friend and neighbor, and will be forever missed.