Victor was born October 24, 1942 in Havana, Cuba the son of Victor Rodriguez & Aida Rodriguez de Moreno.
Victor graduated as Cadet Commander from Havana Military Academy in 1960. Two years later he left his native homeland of Cuba and emigrated to the United States in 1962. He arrived with a few clothes, a ½ tube of toothpaste, and half of a bar of soap. He started to work immediately as a surgical orderly at South Shore Hospital in Chicago by day and worked banquet service at the Continental Hotel by night. He then moved on to Chicago Bridge & Iron and worked rotating shifts as a welder. After an on-the-job injury, he took a job at Central Soya as a laboratory supply clerk where he would meet his future wife, Nancy Collins.
Victor married Nancy on October 18, 1969 at St Luke’s Church in River Forest, IL.
Soon after getting married, Victor worked toward earning both his bachelors degree in business administration and his US citizenship while working nights as a taxi & limousine driver. He graduated from college and earned his citizenship in 1976. Upon becoming a citizen, he was gifted an American flag by Congressman Henry Hyde that was flown over the US Capitol. He proudly flew that flag for 46 years on the front porch of his Oak Park, Illinois home. Soon thereafter, Victor embarked on a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical industry with stops at Allen & Hanburys, Merck, & GlaxoSmithKline earning many accolades for being a high performer.
Victor loved watching sports of all kinds, especially baseball. He was a die-hard fan of the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls as well as University of Denver & University of North Dakota hockey, and Trine University Softball. He was a lover of his 3 quarter horses and every dog & grand-dog that his family had over the years.
His Roman Catholic faith was central to his life. He was a 46-year member of Ascension Parish in Oak Park, IL and most recently a 3-year member of St Thomas More Parish in Centennial, Colorado.
Victor loved to spend time with family & friends, especially when it involved a trip out of town. Victor loved cigars, red wine, his primos and primas, and his “siblings by marriage” Rich & Pat Agostinelli, Kevin & Diana Collins, & Bob “Kip” Collins. He didn’t like cold Chicago winters and always wanted to relocate to Florida.
Remaining to cherish Victor’s memory are his beloved wife, Nancy; children, David (Kelly), Mary, & Dan (Maggie); grandchildren, Jack, Alex, Sam, Ben, & Baby Rodriguez due March 2025.
Preceding Victor in death are his parents, Victor Rodriguez & Aida Moreno.
Visitation will be held Monday, October 7th, 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel.
Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 11:00am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, with Fr Joseph Hartmann officiating.
Interment will be Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock, CO.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org in Victor’s memory.
