Alfonso Flores Rodriguez

Papi's or Grandpa's smile and laughter warmed our hearts. When we visited, first came the twinkle in his eyes that demonstrated how happy he was to see family, then the smile that welcomed you. For his youngest he'd say, “Alicia, mira"! His unconditional love is something we will always cherish and miss tremendously.

Papi came from very humble beginnings, which made him a survivalist. He was born May 2, 1932, in Yurecuaro, Michoacan Mexico, to Juana and Ezequiel Rodriguez. At a young age, his widowed mother took the family to live in Mexico City. It was here that he met our Mom, Alicia, both 15 years old. They married at 21, the first child, Patricia came into the world 9 months later.

Papi was convinced by his older brother, Jose, to immigrate to the USA, work to save money, and return to put up a business. So, with a baby of a few months, they started the journey. They lived in El Paso, Texas for a couple of years. Then with a new addition, Norma, the family split, while Dad found work, Mom and daughters went back to Mexico City, while Papi went to San Jose, CA, where Jose felt the economy was better to work.

The first months in San Jose were an incredible hardship for him, but with Dad's determined and survivalist character, he finally found work at the Five Spot Drive In Restaurant (which is still present on First Street). The family was sent for, an apartment rented, and the family continued to grow. Mario and Laura were born at the little apartment. With Mom working seasonally at the cannery and Dad now working as cement mason, a house was purchased. Many years later, Alfonso Jr and Victor Manuel were born. Dad and Mom made that house a beautiful home since 1962. The dream of returning to Mexico never materialized knowing that their growing children would not want to leave.

There is nothing but gratitude and admiration that we his children feel for our Dad (and Mom) that worked so hard for his family to succeed in this new country. For years until retirement, he would come home full of cement dust, completely exhausted from the day's work. Yet the day came when he so proud that he passed the contractor's license, with the limited English skills he had, again demonstrating a resilient character. He started R. B. Cement Company. We were all so proud of him.

Even with all the difficulties and hardship in his life, Dad saw the positive. Weekends in our household were a blessing for us kids because it was going to parks to see Dad play soccer, going to the beach, or going over "Compadre's" home for get-togethers. Once Dad retired, fishing was his sport. Birthdays and Father's Day he received all kinds of fishing equipment for him to enjoy for fishing. He even received a singing fish plaque to put on the wall, that made him smile so much. Dad loved his little cute trinkets, like the last one he purchased, a white little ceramic truck with flowers in the back. Beware of letting him watch TV infomercials, because he would order what he saw. Dad filled his time doing things he loved to do, like gardening. He loved flowers so much and wanted the house to look beautiful planting flowers in the front and backyard.

Finally, he loved to help his grown children and brothers in whatever they needed. Each of his children have had Dad help them with their own families, either with cement work or other forms. The helping work Dad did for his children will be cherished and always remind us of our hard-working father. Papi, you will always be in our hearts. You will be missed so much, thank you for all your sacrifices and love.