Rosendo Rodriguez

“The monument of a great man is not of granite or marble or bronze. It consists of his goodness, his deeds, his love and his compassion.”

~ Wallace D. Watties

Our father was a great man. Not as the world thinks, but as those that love him, his family, his friends and his community, know. He was great in the ways that mattered.

So let me tell you about Rosendo Rodriguez, also known as Papi, Grandpa, Abuelito, Hermano, Tio, Padrino, Amigo, and our Dad.

Dad was born in Guantanamo, Cuba, on April 6, 1932. He was the third of five children born to Evaristo and Gabina Rodriguez.

He grew up with an adventurous spirit, choosing work rather than attend school, much to his parents’ chagrin.

His older sister Leonor recalls the time when she took Dad, age 15, to Havana to live with her while she attended Havana University. It was there that he received the nickname “muñecon” because of his good looks! She recalls how well-mannered and disciplined he was, and how respectful he was of her as if she were his mother. She remembers that they had a sweet, loving relationship that endured throughout all these years.

Dad left Cuba in 1954 for a short stint in the US to work as a laborer in New York City. He liked New York very much and stayed for six months, after which he returned to Cuba.

It was in Havana, in 1955, that he met a ravishing beauty with raven hair, porcelain skin and the bluest of blue eyes, our beautiful mother Conchita. She was working at Café Tres Centavos at the time. It was love at first sight. They dated for a while but later broke up.

On December 4, 1955, while driving a bus, Dad was in a serious accident near Colón. It was that accident and her concern for him that brought Mom and Dad back together.

Dad and Mom were engaged for two years and he began working for Cuban Air.

They married on March 1, 1958, and started their family, first me, Ileana, and then almost three years later, Rosendito (Ross).

In early 1959 Dad began the process of getting his family out of Cuba and to the United States. Finally in 1964 the Rodriguez family hopped on a plane to a new life, one rich with opportunity, but also unknown and filled with new challenges.

With an extended stop in Spain, the Rodriguez family finally made it to their destination, California!

Dad immediately took on two full-time jobs, allowing Mom to stay home with my brother and me. Together they made a strong team, equal partners, each contributing their strengths in their marriage, always supporting each other.

During this time, Dad was able to get a job at AirCo, the American counterpart to Cuban Air. As a dedicated employee, he rose through the ranks and eventually became Plant Supervisor.

When there was a little extra money, Dad would take us places. It was Huntington Beach every Saturday during summer vacation, Knotts Berry Farm after church and the local drive-in to see the latest double features.

Dad had a charitable, giving heart. He and Mom opened their home to friends arriving from Cuba, providing shelter and comfort as they made their transition to American life. Lifelong friendships were made along the way. He also regularly donated to several favorite charities and to church.

After much scrimping and saving, Dad fulfilled one of his biggest dreams and bought a cute little three bed/two bath home in the Los Angeles suburb of West Covina. It was then that Edward and Roxanne came along to complete our little family and make it perfect.

Suburban life was what you’d expect. There was work, school, church, just life in general. But occasionally we’d take an extended road trip. Dad loved his road trips. We got to see Yosemite, Sequoia, San Francisco, San Diego, Hearst Castle and many other places in and around California.

But I think the best thing about road trips for Dad was not the journey, but the destination. Yes, it’s usually the other way around but honestly, it was as if he was in competition with himself to see how fast he could make it to his destination with the least number of stops. One year he loaded us all in the car and drove to Miami, Florida, in what was probably record time. This was a trip none of us have forgotten!

Dad finally retired from AirCo in 1998. It was then that the travel bug really bit Dad and Mom hard and it never let go. In addition to the road trips, they took fabulous cruises to exotic locations around the world. They went on so many cruises that Norwegian Cruise Line and him must have been on a first name basis.

They visited Hawaii, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and their beloved Spain. Dad was able to finally fulfill his lifelong dream of traveling to Ireland and kissing the Blarney Stone. He always felt he had a bit of the Irish in him! Checking off another dream off his list, he got to see Bora Bora and Tahiti, places he had only imagined visiting.

As life went on, the family grew. When Dad became a grandfather, he embraced that role fully. He became the best Grandpa and Papi ever! He spoiled and doted on his grandkids with abandon. He took them to so many places, even on those fabled road trips. Dad and Mom loved all their grandchildren. And they, in turn, loved them just as much.

Our Dad’s interests were varied and diverse. He enjoyed football in the fall and baseball in the spring. He had a great fondness for game shows, chocolate, a good Scotch and Cuban food (especially if made by Mom). He enjoyed hosting barbecues for his friends and family.

He had a sharp and clever mind. He was quite the history buff. He knew obscure facts about obscure events. Dad also loved classical music, the opera, and Shakespeare, a love, unfortunately, not shared by Mom! And when the music was right, he’d love to dance, grabbing Mom by the hand and cutting a mean rumba or cha-cha on the dance floor, even if that dance floor was just their living room.

He also got joy out of gardening. He grew and cultivated a variety of greenery, from the beautiful roses in the front yard, to his pride and joy, the mango tree in the backyard he grew from a mere seed and babied until it became a full-grown fruit-bearing giant.

After Mom passed away in early 2022, Dad began to dig deeper into his faith. He read his Bible every night and prayed before bed. Although very private about such matters, it was evident that he loved the Lord deeply and completely.

Not surprisingly, the four of us have been reminiscing a lot about Dad lately. We have so many memories of him, too many to count, but each of us has that one moment crystallized in our minds.

Ross recalls Dad taking him to his very first baseball game, instilling a love of the game, and when he coached his little league team.

Roxanne cherishes the father/daughter dance at her wedding, dancing with Dad to the song “Butterfly Kisses”.

Edward’s most personal and special memory was the opportunity to truly bond with Dad after Mom passed. He remembers the phone calls he’d get from Dad, talking about sports or how the kids were doing and anything that came to mind. He also shared stories about his youth with him, in an honest, unguarded way.

And I will always remember Michael and I coming home after our wedding reception to change and go on our honeymoon. Dad called me over to the kitchen and we had a beer together, just him and me. We clicked glasses and he sent me on my way to my new life with my new husband.

Our father lived an amazing life. Arriving in the US with hardly a penny, he accomplished many things, though hard work and sheer will, that most of us can only dream of. He was a loving, caring, protective husband and father. He treasured his family and his friendships. He always offered love and support to his kids, no matter what. He gave great advice, whether you asked for it or not! His sacrifices and determination gave his family the opportunities that this country has to offer. Dad, you have left a tremendous void in our lives but we will forever be grateful you were our Dad and will always love you.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

(Psalm 37:23)

Rosendo is survived by his children, Ileana, Ross, Edward and Roxanne; David, Dawn; grandchildren Christopher, Matthew, Timothy, Andrew, Aaron James, Alyssa, Audrey, Madelyn, Caroline, Peyton and Dymond; brother Rodolfo, sister Leonor, and all his nieces, nephews and godchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved Conchita, son-in-law Michael, brothers Evaristo and Enrique and his parents.