JAMESTOWN Nicholas Rodriguez, Sr., 80, of Jamestown, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at WCA Hospital surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
He was born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, on September 16, 1931, the son of the late Leonides and Margarita Torres Rodriguez.
Nicholas served in the United States Army for two years. Upon discharge, he went back to Puerto Rico where he married his wife. After marriage, he and his wife moved to Jamestown making them one of the first few Hispanic families to settle in the area.
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Shortly after arriving in Jamestown, Nick became a member of the Jamestown Police Reserves. He was also employed by Proto Tool Manufacturing Company until they closed. He then worked at the BPU in Jamestown as a laborer until his retirement. During the early 70s to 80s, Nick hosted a Spanish Hour at the WJTN Radio station, and it was here that most people came to know, respect, and love him.
Nick was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Besides the love he had for his wife and family, his interests included boxing, playing pool, collecting old cars, and traveling with his wife and close friends.
Nick was very proud of his heritage, and because of this he along with others became very instrumental in establishing the first Puerto Rican Social Club in Jamestown. He was a member of St. John R.C. Church, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Lake-wood Rod & Gun Club, and a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the AMVets Post #726 of Jamestown.
Nick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Miriam Albizu Rodriguez, whom he married October 27, 1956; five children: Nicholas (Julie) Rodriguez, Jr., Evelyn (Myles) Lyons, Arlene (Albert) Kennedy, Edwin Rodriguez, Sr., all of Jamestown, and Doris Schauman of Bemus Point. Grandchildren include Nichole and Dominick Rodriguez, Diane (Robert) Hedstrum of Sweden, Nicholas and Myles Lyons, III, Jennifer and Lisa Kennedy, Edwin Rodriguez, Jr., and Joshua and John Schauman. Great-grandchildren include Katelyn Lyons of Sweden, Jeremiah Ingerson and Chelsae Lyons of Jamestown. He is also survived by his two sisters Angela (Lee) Benedict of Oil City, PA and Margot Gowan of Jamestown.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Delia and his brothers, Enrique "Chico" and William Rodriguez.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, July 1 at the Migliore Funeral Home with funeral services Monday, July 2nd @ 10:00 a.m. at St. John R.C. Church.
Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, the Cancer Research Institute, the American Diabetes Foundation, or to the Holy Apostles St. Vincent de Paul Society.
