Peter Paul Rodriguez

We are here today to remember and celebrate our dear father, grandfather, husband, teacher, role model and friend Pete Rodriguez. He passed on from this earth much too soon for our understanding, but the exact right time in God's eyes.

He accomplished much in his life, but what he was most proud of was his two daughters, his faith and the life he built from humble beginnings, including the last 16 years with his wife Sherry.

Pete's story began in Chicago in 1939, son of a railroad man and loving mother along with two sisters and a brother.

The family, originally from Mexico, lived in a boxcar without the everyday conveniences such as electricity, running water or a telephone for the first 18 years of his life. he was always amazed and grateful for every accomplishment big and small and every item he possessed which is why perhaps he was what you might call ... frugal. His favorite car was his 1998 Honda CRV ... even though he had a new BMW in the garage.

As a school boy, Pete was introduced to football, a game that turned out to be his ticket to a college education and then a distinguished coaching career spanning over 40 years.

He was the first in his family to attend college but not the last. Pete completed his playing career as an All American linebacker at Western State University in Gunnison, CO where he met the mother of his children and partner for 26 years Linda Takahashi Rodriguez.

He was passionate about education, obtaining degrees in History, and two master's degrees in Political Science and Education. He even had his sights set on becoming an attorney but took a left turn to coach football.

He also made sure his children took their education seriously - whether Marla wanted to or not.

His daughters followed their father's legacy, each earning higher degrees. Gina became the attorney her father might have been and Marla shared her father's love of sports, earning a master's degree in sports administration.

Pete worked hard to provide a better life for his family, making a name in collegiate football through universities including Arizona, Western Illinois, Iowa State and Florida State. He entered the professional ranks first in the Canadian Football League, then the USFL where his team, the Michigan Panthers, won the first ever championship game in 1983. He was most proud of this achievement and often wore his championship ring.

Pete never imagined he would ascend to the highest levels of the NFL, serving as an assistant head coach and paving the way for special teams coaches in the league. He was a pioneer for Hispanic coaches as well - one of just a handful of Hispanics to coach in the league to this day.

He coached for the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks and finished his storied career in 2006 at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In a profession full of loud and boisterous egos, Pete was a calm and quite force who coaches and players alike counted on for his exacting attention to detail and confident calm presence that always produced top results. He was named Special Teams Coach of the Year twice and the Special Teams Coach of the Decade in the 90s. He was inducted into both the Chicago Land Sports and the Western State University Halls of Fame.

But awards didn't mean as much to Pete as the people he was able to help along the way. He coached numerous players to Pro Bowl accolades, assisted young coaches in their careers and taught anyone who would listen about how to be successful and most of all how to be a good person.

He loved football. Even when he was quote "resting" his eyes on the couch, he was "watching" football games.

Retirement brought the opportunity for travel. He finally had time to take trips to the places he studied in school bringing his love of history to life.

Standing in front of legendary landmarks such as, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Stonehenge and places like Venice, Paris and London was an awesome experience for him. He told Sherry, "It's hard to believe that a poor, Mexican boy from Chicago would be here."

He and Sherry enjoyed every day of retirement whether it involved planning the next adventure or simply golfing, working out or seeing friends.

Pete loved all of his family. His grandchildren Nya and Miles were always close to his heart. How many times did they visit Leggo Land? He embraced Sherry's family as his own as well - her children Lori and JJ and grand children Rylie and Colby.

When Sherry's parents came to live with them, he happily adopted the role of caretaker. He said he wished he had the opportunity to take care of his own parents. One of Pete's roles was calling Bingo at the nursing home when John lived there before he passed. Hopefully John and Pete have more fun things to do together now, but if you hear BINGO - you'll know why.

Pete always had a corny joke or funny quip. He would want you remember him that way.

He was a man a faith and grew in his spiritual journey throughout his life and surely beyond as well. Even when things got crazy, things didn't go the way he wanted and others questioned him, he had a great perspective - knowing how much he had accomplished from where he began. He appreciated what he had - all of it - and he didn't want or need extras.

Maybe that's the lesson we can learn from our friend's passing - appreciate everything and everybody in your life.