Maximo "Max, Papa" Arroyo Rodriguez

He was born on May 29th, 1932 in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico to Luisa Arroyo and Juan Domingo Rodríguez.

As a young adult, he moved to New York and worked in the garment district as well as drove a taxi for many years. He raised his children and then moved back to Puerto Rico and bought a house there. He enjoyed growing tropical plants, fruits, and root vegetables. He treasured all of his family, scattered across the country, as well as the many pets his family were blessed with. He was happiest outdoors, immersed in nature and watching for wildlife. He was often joking and loved to read. Máximo was kind to a fault and deeply faithful in the Lord and as he grew older he grew ever more prayerful, as it was the best way he could love his family - no matter how far so many of them were.

In 2003, he and his ailing wife, Paula Rodríguez, moved to San Angelo, Texas and made a home there with their youngest child and her family. They all cared for his wife until her passing in 2005. He found strength in helping to raise the grandchildren that he shared a home with. There were many family gatherings and trips to different places and local haunts - most notably the library, the churches, and the parks.

He went on to reach nearly 89 years of age. He passed away in his home, surrounded by loved ones - asleep, and listening to his grandchildren read a favorite book aloud to him.

Papa was loved by many for his many attributes - humility, gentle strength, integrity, generosity, humor, powerful faith, unfailing love. He was very proud of every child, every grandchild, and every great grandchild, and looked forward to a day when he would embrace them all. He longed to see his brothers and sisters again.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Anna, Genoveva, Hipolito and Jose; child Charlie; and grandchildren Justin, Luke, Alex and Phoenix.

Those left to cherish his memory are his sibling Isabel; children Rosa and husband Pablo Martinez, Margarita and husband Vidal Velez, Migdalia Rodriguez and Ronnie Rivera, Mark Rodriguez and wife Toni Bosman and Lisa and husband Jason Geron; grandchildren Bernice, Rosalie, Melissa, Jaclyn, April, Anthony, Eric, Sean, Jay, Ronnie, Ian, Elisa, Max, Tabitha and Logan; great grandchildren Tyler Rose, Jaida Rose, Madison Rose, Zoe Rose, Chloe Rose, Justin, Alexander Paul, Devin, Lucas, Nathan, Anthony, Jossalyn, Jaiden, Niko, Emma, Izabel, Damien and Aria; along with numerous nieces and nephews.