Hettiarachchige Felician Placidas Bertram Rodrigo

Felician Rodrigo passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, May 25, 2022, at the age of 77 from complications due to the sudden deterioration of his underlying conditions.

He was born on October 2, 1944, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, was brought up by his parents in Kotahena, Colombo, and later moved to Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. After the marriage settled in Negombo, Sri Lanka, until he immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He graduated from St. Benedict's College, a Catholic school located in the Kotahena area of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Felician was blessed with a loving family. He met his wife in 1978. They were engaged and married seven months later, on June 23, 1979. Their love endured all 43 years and they were blessed with three wonderful children and a grandchild. In the last few years, he lived his life vicariously through his children and his grandchild, enjoying every moment given.

As a man of candour, humility, and simplicity, he was very content with his life and was grateful. We find ourselves reminiscing some of the most momentous experiences in his fascinating life. He was an unsurpassed performer who wielded rhythm and melody through the old songs he loved (known as “baila”), fostering an entertaining atmosphere for everyone around, a dancer who relished the moments, a narrator who shared his remarkable life stories, an occasional handyman who performed home woodwork, carpentry, masonry work and plumbing, a motor mechanic who serviced home automobiles, a gardener who maintained a beautiful garden, a voyager who loved travelling, and a first aider who helped the injured.

He was a master craftsman and a talented artist who captured the hearts of many through his artistic eye, paintings, ice carvings and palm leaf sculptures. He never veered from his vision. Some of the stunning exhibits he produced include paintings from his imagination to paintings of the Royal Academy, depicting scenes of everyday life, human figures, and representations of topography.

He was an avid sports fan. Loved playing table tennis (has won the Mercantile Table Tennis Championship), practiced martial arts (Karate and boxing), played the role of soccer goalie, participated in track events and hockey, and loved playing chess and fishing as a hobby.

We were blessed beyond our means to have a loving husband and a father who was there for us each step of the way. He shaped our lives with his unwavering love, guidance, exemplary life, and the trust he had in us. As he rests in peace, awaiting us in his new home with God, we are holding on to the endless love he gave us and the love we have for him until we meet again.

Felician was predeceased by his father Manuel Rodrigo, mother Beatrice Rodrigo, sisters Iris Paaris (née Rodrigo), Viola Demel (née Rodrigo), and brothers William Rodrigo and Edwin Rodrigo. He is survived by his wife Concelia Rodrigo; his daughters Tanya Rodrigo, Tanuja Rodrigo (fiancé Sanjaya); his son Carlton Rodrigo (wife Rochelle); his grandchild Clea Rodrigo; his brothers Antony Rodrigo, Thomas Rodrigo, Kingsley Rodrigo; his sisters Shanthi Amarasooriya (née Rodrigo) and Perly Fernando (née Rodrigo).

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Mary Mother of the Church, 85 Kirkbridge Drive beginning with visitation at 9:00am, Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Thomson "In The Park" Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, with a reception being held at Thomson "In The Park' Funeral Home immediately afterwards.

Flowers can be sent to 134 Edge Park Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3Y 0X8 (home) or Thomson "In The Park" Funeral Home and Cemetery for the Memorial Service, addressed to the Rodrigo Family.