Sylvestre "Sly" Rodriguez

03/06/1966 - 11/11/2010

Sylvestre "Sly" Rodriguez
Sylvestre "Sly" Rodriguez passed away surrounded by his family and loved ones on November 11, 2010. He was born on March 6, 1966 to Julia and Jesus Rodriguez in Santa Maria, California. He attended elementary and junior high schools in Guadalupe and later Righetti High School where he was a member of the Marimba Band and Ballet Folklorico. He was also on the wrestling team and was a student worker at Righetti's Sword and Shield Restaurant. While still in high school he worked part time at the Basque House in Guadalupe where he was inspired to one day open his own restaurant. After graduating from high school in 1984 he moved to Santa Barbara to pursue this dream and enrolled in Santa Barbara City College where he studied Culinary Art and Hotel-Restaurant Management. While completing his studies he worked at State and A Restaurant where he quickly worked his way up to management. He was the first in his family to pursue a college degree and his siblings tried to help him financially; he refused to cash their checks choosing instead to challenge himself to make it on his own.
After earning his degree in 1987, he was offered a promotion to General Manager of the Hudson's Grill Restaurant in Irvine, California. Under his direction, the once struggling restaurant thrived again in less than a year's time. This success led to the opportunity to return to his hometown as General Manager and Partner of a new Hudson's Grill location in Santa Maria. He oversaw every detail of Hudson's from its construction to hiring and training new staff. At the young age of 22 he had achieved his childhood dream and applied the same determination and enthusiasm to operating his new restaurant as he had to his studies. He was often seen in the kitchen making sure every order was flawlessly prepared and making rounds from table to table checking in with patrons. His hard work paid off and Hudson's Grill quickly became a success and the place to be. Hudson's was known for its curly fries, Cinco de Mayo festivities and the red Hudson convertible which had "crashed" through the kitchen wall. By 1998 he bought out his partners and became the sole owner; his dream had officially been achieved.
He shared his success with countless community programs and charities. He regularly supported local organizations like the Righetti High School Marimba Band and Ballet Folklorico, and numerous local schools. He was an active member of many organizations including The Boys and Girls Club, the Kiwanis Club, The Elk's Mutton Bustin', Optimist Club, and most recently the Righetti Boosters Club.
In 1991 he married Lourdes Espinoza. They welcomed their son Julian in 1994; a much anticipated addition to their family. Sly enjoyed attending and supporting Julian's multiple sports activities. They shared a love for the Los Angeles Dodgers and often attended baseball games together. Julian was his pride and joy and Sly never missed an opportunity to share his son's accomplishments with his friends and family.
Sly was also an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and enjoyed teasing his brother David when they beat the Boston Celtics. He loved listening and singing to Mariachi music, especially to Vicente Fernandez songs, and often dressed in the traditional Mexican "charro" attire when performing at various events. He never failed to make his way to the dance floor at every social gathering and frequently was the last one to tire. He often barbecued for family events and liked to introduce us to new and different foods.
His family fondly remembers his enthusiasm and passion for life. He commanded the attention of the entire room as he shared his stories in his usual animated fashion. He organized games for his nieces and nephews like potato sack races, musical chairs, and "Simon says." He taught them how to dance, played practical jokes on them, and never missed an opportunity to shower them with praise and words of encouragement. The eldest of his nieces and nephews knew him as "Tio Tete" and as children often followed him around vying for his attention, which he gave to them freely.
We'll never forget the kindness with which he treated everyone he encountered, the energy and zest with which he approached everything he did, and the hard work he employed towards pursuing his goals.
He was preceded in death by his father Jesus T. Rodriguez, grandfather Natividad Solis, brother in law Hector Ramirez, and niece Beatriz Ortiz.
He is survived by his son Julian; his mother Julia; his grandmother Francis Solis; his brothers and sisters Salvador, Beatriz, Maria, Jesse, Diana, David, Raul, Rosalinda, and Felisa, and their respective spouses; his previous spouse Lourdes; 22 nieces and nephews; 28 grand nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Tuesday November 16th at 5:00 pm followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 am followed by interment at the Guadalupe Cemetery.
Our family would like to extend special thanks to the Guadalupe Fire and Police departments for their assistance and for giving us an opportunity to say our final good-bye; and to Marian Hospital staff for their understanding and accommodations.
Arrangements are under the direction of Moreno Mortuary.
805-614-9335
214 N. Lincoln Street,
Santa Maria, CA, 93458