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Paul W. Harris Funeral Home - Rochester

570 Kings Hwy South

Rochester, New York

Mario Rodriguez Obituary

Rodriguez, Mario R.

Penfield: April 29, 2013 peacefully and surrounded by loving family after a courageous battle with an extended illness. Mario was predeceased by his parents Mario E. and Carmen Rodriguez, brother Louis Sariego, sister Carmen Bastidas, and son Mario R. Rodriguez, Jr. Survived by his beloved and devoted wife Judith (Berti); daughters Mary Jane Harris (Guy), Carmen Rodriguez (Eileen), and Elizabeth A. Rodriguez; sons Randall Hughes (Deanna) and D. Scott Collins (Chere); grandchildren Jenean Kirby (Nolan), James Snider, Melissa Davis (Brian), Michael Rodriguez, Marcus Rodriguez, Jonathan Rodriguez, Brittani, Ashley, and Allison Hughes, Lauren and Audrey Collins; seven great-grandchildren; brothers Joseph (Barbara), Robert (Dorothy), and Albert (Jean); numerous nieces and nephews; as well as countless cherished friends.

A native of Camden, NJ where he was elected as Councilman-at-Large for the City of Camden; following his second term, he was appointed by Governor William Cahill to serve as Commissioner of Civil Rights for the State of NJ and then went on to serve on the NJ State Parole Board and Commissioner of Camden County Park Police, and lastly National Advocate for Children's Justice; he also held memberships and offices in organizations such as the President of the Delaware Valley Officials Assn., International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, International Rep for AFL/CIO, and held seats on many boards including the NJ Multiple Sclerosis Association. After relocating to Rochester, NY in 1979, Mario joined People's Cable and went on to become the Vice President of Government Affairs at Time Warner Cable from which he retired. Most recently, Mario was the Director of Government Affairs and Community Access at Fibertech Networks. Mario served on many boards in Rochester, most notably the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester Broadway Theater League, Hispanic Business Association, the Stewardship Council for the Diocese of Rochester, the United Way, and the board of Rochester Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Mario will be eternally missed by all that loved him. His witty sense of humor, unequaled honesty and integrity, uncompromising loyalty, enormous heart full of generosity, and his profound passion for life will be carried forward by those that knew him well.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his name may be made to either The Sands-Constellation Heart Institute c/o Rochester General Hospital Foundation, 100 Kings Highway South, Rochester, NY 14617 (http://www.givergh.org and select Heart Institute) or Lifetime Care Hospice 3111 S Winton Rd, Rochester, NY 14623 (http://www.lifetimecare.org/ and select Make a Donation).His family will receive friends FRIDAY 5:00 - 9:00pm at the funeral home (570 Kings Hwy South). Friends are invited to meet the family SATURDAY 11:00am at SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL for his funeral mass. Interment Private. To share a memory or send the family a condolence, please visit www.harrisfuneralhome.com.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on May 2, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Mario Rodriguez

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Mary Jane and Betty Ann,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family at this time. Your father was a special man. My parents Abel and Eva Vaccaro also send their condolences.

Elena Vaccaro-Mendez

May 10, 2013

Our cousin Mario was a force of nature. As a child when Mario and the family came to Dallas to visit, the world was never the same again. He entered our complacent Texas lives and turned them on end. He was so full of life and energy, always on the go and encouraging all of us to join in. He was intellectually stimulating, giving us a new and broader perspective of life. From endless water skiing (with the rope around his neck like a crazy nut) to being so engaging that he simply charmed your socks off, we always looked forward to his delightful visits and simply spending time with him.

Over the years just the thought of him lights up my heart and brings a smile to my face. Now that he has gone “home” I know that Mario and my parents are all together again having a great laugh. We are all just a little less here on earth with his passing, and heaven is blessed with more life and energy with his spirit being there. He will be missed by all of us.

Janet St. John

May 9, 2013

Judy and Family...Our heart felt condolences to you and the family. We will always remember Mario's smile and upbeat personality. We are so honored to have met the Rodriguez family and were made a part of them. Our family began by the meeting of Mario's father and Carmen his mother and the Cortes family...From that time our family has been one.. He will be truly missed.

Elena Cortes and the Cortes Family

May 8, 2013

Mario was a inspiration to our family and to anyone who was fortunate enough to have known him. His smile is eternal, as is his influence.

Leonard Mecca

May 7, 2013

Riposi in pace Padrino mio.

Gerry Mecca

May 6, 2013

We couldn't possibly describe in ordinary words a man who was not very ordinary at all. We celebrate Mario; a spirit so beautiful and a life so very full. . . You will be missed by many whose lives you have touched . . . Sending love and remembrance.

Gary and Karen Muisus

May 6, 2013

Dear Judy and Rodriguez Family:
Please accept my family's heartfelt condolences during the loss of a very distinguished and gracious gentleman.
There are very few people in the world that are as easy to respect and admire, Mario was the perfect example of what it means to be a Gentleman, Friend, and overall a Great man, We'll feel Honored and Blessed to have known him these past 28 years.
We will always remember Mario as an outstanding and professional person. Mario was a great friend and mentor to me, as well as the other lives he's touched.
He is gone, but his soul will always be in our hearts forever.
May his Soul rest in peace and may he dance with the angels.
We know he will truly be missed; our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
May the Lord bless you, and your family.
With our heartfelt sympathy,
~Scott & Kathy Campbell and family

May 5, 2013

Mario had an unmatched zest for life, as my husband Charles said - "The most fun guy he'd ever met". During my time working with Mario (Frank and Faye) I learned EVERYTHING! White glove, top drawer, the pot boiling and the beard all the necessary lessons in life. Mario you were a man of genuine humor and humility. With all my love, Deb

Deborah Cuffaro

May 4, 2013

Mario was just a sweet, funny person-someone you could just sit down and talk with and leave his office with a smile. He especially enjoyed a great joke and would always ask if I had" heard any good ones lately?" He was an absolute pleasure to work for and with! Mario will be hard to replace and he will be missed greatly!

Joe Laudico

May 4, 2013

Sinonimo del perfecto caballero y amigo leal.No olvidare tu apoyo sincero tanto en los momentos felices como tambien en aquellos muy tristes de mi vida. Que Dios te tenga en la palma de su mano.

Grace Tillinghast

May 3, 2013

He always had a smile and a good word. I was hired by Mario in 1980 at People's Cable and on that day he spoke to me of hard work and loyalty. Those lessons were never forgotten. To Judy and the family my deepest sympathy.

Nick and Debra LaGrett

May 3, 2013

Mario gave me my first "real job" at Greater Rochester Cablevision in 1985. I spent 2 years learning from him and I thank him for believing in me. He played a major role in my career success today. He will be missed and remembered always.
Kathy Blickwede Kastner

Kathy Blickwede Kastner

May 3, 2013

I hope Mario realized how appreciated and loved he was. He had a way of touching lives, making days brighter, hearts a little happier and problems seem a whole lot smaller. Mario was a wonderful gift to me and my life is better because he was in it. White glove - top drawer. Love you Mario.

Faye Gibbs

May 3, 2013

My family has many remarkable memories that time will never erase. His carisma and passion for success has defenitely made a mark in my life. Mario will be forever missed. Mario and Flora and family.

May 2, 2013

Mario was one of my mentors in the CATV industry. I have many memories of his advise and support. God Bless

Bill Mallette

May 2, 2013

A gentleman's gentleman. Your humor,friendship and loyalty will be missed. Till we meet again, my friend. God bless.

I.C. Shah

May 2, 2013

Uncle Mario,
I will miss your smile and your exuberance. You always had the best dance moves!
With Love,
Maria Elena

Maria Fox

May 2, 2013

A dear and good friend and colleague. Mario shall be missed.
Condolences to Judy an the entire family.
Tom & Donna Proietti

Tom Proietti

May 2, 2013

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Paul W. Harris Funeral Home - Rochester

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