Gilberto Teixeira Rodrigues

Gil is survived by his wife Heather Stoeffler of Tampa, FL, his children Isabella, Gabriella, and Freddie Rodrigues of Tampa, his brother and sister-in-law Manuel and Mirta Rodrigues of Naples, Florida, his brother Tony Rodrigues of Albuquerque, NM, and nephews Manuel and Daniel Rodrigues and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents Maria De Anjos Matos Rodrigues and Manuel Rodrigues of Elizabeth New Jersey, originally of Portugal.

Gil was born on January 1st in Elizabeth, NJ. He graduated from Rutgers College of Pharmacy in 1989 with a degree in Pharmacy. Gil has worked for A&P, RP Shearer, and Walgreens before beginning work for Medco which was acquired by Express Scripts. He has been in their employment for the past 14 years. Gil also owned and ran Sebastian’s Gourmet Café in Feather Sound for ten years. His children remember him as a patient and loving father who enjoyed ice mochas, chocolate chip cookies, and playing with his children.

Gil was an avid basketball fan and coach who was passionate about instilling the basics of the sport in all the children; he coached at the YMCA for over 7 years. He loved the game but loved the kids who played it more. He went on to coach boys’ and girls’ basketball at Roland Park Middle School. He realized his personal dream to become a high school basketball coach in 2021, when he coached Robinson High School Girls Basketball for the 2021-2022 season and led the girls to the District 1A championship. When cancer prevented him from coaching, he became their biggest fan. Gil wasn’t just about winning, he was about instilling good sportsmanship and team mindedness in all players he coached.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday, March 12th at Blount and Curry on South MacDill. Visitation with the family will be from 1-3pm with the service immediately following. Pastor Raymond James will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The West Tampa YMCA located at 8950 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33615 or to Robinson High School Athletic Booster Club, Attention: Ms. Mousseau at 6311 S Lois Ave, Tampa, FL 33616.

His family would like to thank all of the friends and family that have provided meals, rides, caregiving and moral support over the past year. They would also like to thank Robinson High School Administration, Counselors, and Coaches for making a very special memory possible for Gil and his children with a private graduation ceremony, and to Bay News 9 for covering the event.