1
tree
planted in memory of James W. Rodriguez
Obituary for James W. Rodriguez
James W. Rodriguez, 87, of Windham, formerly of Hampton, husband of the late Joyce (Pearl) Rodriguez, passed away on October 23, 2022 at Douglas Manor. He was the son of the late James A. and Gertrude C. (McLaughlin) Rodriguez.
Born on January 13, 1935 in Manhattan, NY, he moved to Hampton, CT in 1942 where he first met his wife, Joyce, at her fifth birthday party. Joyce later told her mother, “I’m going to marry Jimmy someday”. Jim and Joyce made their life in Hampton where they raised their family: Juanita and Richard Briggs of Ossipee, NH; John and Ellen Rodriguez of Hampton, CT; Joyclyn and Todd Wright of Tolland, CT; and Ann and Chip Jordan of Storrs, CT.
Upon graduating from Windham High School, Jim joined the U.S. Air Force where he served during the Korean War as a flight mechanic on a refueler stationed in North Africa. After leaving the force, he worked at Pratt and Whitney building jet engines and was involved in constructing the first Saturn booster rocket engines. Jim then operated Jim’s Gulf in Storrs, CT before purchasing Hampton Hill Garage from Donald Hoffman in 1969, remaining the proud owner until selling the business to his son, John, in 1997, now a fourth-generation family business. Jim enjoyed sailing in Long Island Sound, traveling with his wife in their RV across the country, and spending time in Florida.
Jim served his community on many Boards and Committees, including: Hampton Board of Education, Second Selectman of the Town of Hampton, Board Member of the Abington Family Clinic, Board Member of the Willimantic Savings Institute, and the Willimantic Switchboard Association, and Fire Chief of the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department. He was one of the first volunteers in the area to receive his EMT certification in April 1971.
Jim is survived by his siblings Thomas, Joseph and Mary. He leaves 6 grandsons, Andrew, Michael, William, Thomas, Peter and Jacob, and 1 granddaughter, Amanda, whom he was always immensely proud of. He also leaves 6 great-grandchildren who brought him joy, whether spending time with them or seeing them in pictures. He was truly loved by his entire family.
The family would like to thank the kind and professional staff at Douglas Manor, Windham, CT, for their devoted care these past two years. We would also like to personally thank his nurse, Emily; you are our angel for making his and our lives better. We couldn’t have done it without you. You will be forever in our hearts.
Relatives and friends may call on Thursday Oct 27, from 5 to 7PM at Bacon Funeral Home (71 Prospect St, Willimantic). A Mass will be celebrated on Friday Oct 28, at 11AM at Our Lady of Lourdes (41 Cedar Swamp Rd, Hampton). Burial will follow in North Cemetery, Hampton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050). To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com
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Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
27
Oct
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Bacon Funeral Home
71 Prospect St
Willimantic, CT 06226
Funeral Mass
Friday
28
Oct
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
41 Cedar Swamp Rd
Hampton, CT 06247
Cemetery Details
Location
North Cemetery
Hammond Hill Rd
Hampton, CT 06247
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