Gilberto Rodriguez

GILBERT RODRIGUEZ

JUNE 3, 1925 – MAY 25, 2018

Gilberto Rodriguez (Gilbert) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on May 25, 2018. At the time of his death, Gilbert was 92. Gilbert was born in 1925 in the town of Abonito, Puerto Rico. Ever the patriot, Gilbert enlisted in the Army in 1942 at the tender age of 17 where he spent the next four years assigned to an anti-aircraft battery defending the West Coast of California from enemy attack and invasion.

Following his discharge from the army in 1946, Gilbert moved to New York City. Gilbert held a number of jobs following his tour of duty, eventually holding several positions including Manager, Editor-in-Chief and then Chaplin with The Seaman’s Church Institute of New York (SCI). SCI serves Mariners from around the world through education, pastoral care and legal advocacy. Gilbert’s friendly and gracious manner endeared him to the visiting Mariners. Gilbert retired from SCI after 30 years and took up residence in Bayamon, Puerto Rico with his wife of 49 years, Esther.

Gilbert’s plan for a retirement life of leisure was sadly interrupted In 1990 when Esther was diagnosed with lung cancer. Over the next ten years, Gilbert would perform the role of a loving, caring and doting husband to Esther. Esther eventually succumbed to cancer in 2000 while living in Tucson. Following Esther’s passing, Gilbert began traveling between the East Coast and Tucson to be with his daughter and son who had taken up residency there. Over the next eight years, Gilbert did extensive traveling including trips to Europe and regular trips to Tucson and California, eventually taking up permanent residency in Tucson in May of 2008.

In 2008, Gilbert suffered a debilitating stroke. Prior to his stroke, Gilbert was an avid jogger. Gilbert could be seen daily on his early morning jogs throughout the Eastside of Tucson. In addition to jogging, Gilbert loved to read, devouring the local newspaper each day in order to remain current on local, national and international affairs. Gilbert was a man of faith. He raised his family in the local New York Methodist Church, where he served as both a Deacon and Church Treasurer. His faith remained strong through the long battle to overcome the debilitating effects of a stroke and up to the time of his passing.

Gilbert will be remembered for his loving and sweet spirit and his dedication to his children and family. Gilbert is survived by his three children, Myrna Wagner of Pleasant Hill, Ca, Sandra Rodriguez of Tucson, Gilberto Rodriguez, Jr. of Tucson, his granddaughter Ashley Tellez of Tucson, Son-In-Law, Timothy Wagner and Daughter-In-Law, Laurie Rodriguez. Family and friends are invited to a Service in Celebration of his Life on June 4 from 2pm to 3pm. A Military Honors funeral will commence at 3pm at the Cemetery Burial Site with flag and taps, followed by a Reception at the Cemetery Reception Room.