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Richard Rodriguez
Richard Rodriguez
Obituary
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Richard Rodriguez Obituary
It can't be said with certainty that Richard Rodriguez was the only Puerto Rican man ever to parade around in a skirt and enjoy it. But his family is certain that no one could have reveled in doing so more than he did.
A member of the Port Authority Police Department and a drummer in the Port Authority's Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. Officer Rodriguez was as proud of being a police officer as he was of his Latin heritage. And he didn't mind putting on a kilt and mixing the two. "He used to say he was breaking barriers," said his wife, Cindy.
Before joining the force, Officer Rodriguez went to school for technical drafting — and hated it. But the more time he spent with the volunteer first-aid squad in Perth Amboy, N.J., where he grew up, the more his career interests shifted to public service.
When the Port Authority police offered him a position eight years ago, he told everyone he had won the lottery. He was first assigned to Newark Airport, where he trained for special duty protecting the president when Air Force One landed there.
Three years ago he started teaching at the Port Authority Police Academy, which was in Sea Girt until it moved to Jersey City in August. When the planes hit on Sept. 11, Officer Rodriguez and the other officers rushed through the Holland Tunnel.
The Port Authority Emerald Society, missing one drummer, played at his memorial service.
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 29, 2001.
Richard Rodriguez, 31, a fully involved cop Port Authority Police Officer Richard Rodriguez gave his all in everything he did. So, his family and friends weren't surprised that on Sept. 11 he rushed to help rescue people from the World Trade Center.
"When I saw it on television I knew he was there," said his mother, Ana Rodriguez, who watched the horrifying images from her house in Villalba, Puerto Rico.
For months, Ana Rodriguez held out hope that her 31-year-old son had survived and was in a hospital somewhere. It wasn't until Jan. 9 that Port Authority officials notified the family that Officer Rodriguez's body had been positively identified.
"At least this way we will have a place to mourn and talk to him and bring flowers," his mother said, speaking about today's funeral service.
Memorial services were already held in New Jersey and Puerto Rico in November.
Officer Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Perth Amboy, was a 1988 graduate of Middlesex County Vocational-Technical High School in Perth Amboy. At one time, he considered studying to be an architect but scrapped the idea for what he thought would be a more interesting job as a police officer.
He attended Middlesex County Community College from 1989 to 1991 and studied criminal justice.
Officer Rodriguez was appointed by the New York-New Jersey Port Authority Police Department on Oct. 4, 1993. He was appointed to the tactical response bureau and then assigned to Newark International Airport before becoming an instructor with the police academy. He taught patrol operations, radio procedures, motor vehicle stops, water rescue, emergency vehicle operations and mobile video camera training.
"He was always doing something. He wasn't one to sit around," his mother said.
He married Cindy, his childhood sweetheart, in 2000. The couple were in the process of buying a house in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen Township. His wife went ahead and closed on the house on Dec. 26.
"We were working on it together. It was something that he bought tools for. I had to finish it," Mrs. Rodriguez said.
Officer Rodriguez was a member of the Perth Amboy Volunteer Fire Department, the Perth Amboy Volunteer First Aid Squad, the Knights of Columbus and the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management.
He especially enjoyed being in the Monmouth County Pipes and Drums Band and was a drummer for the Port Authority Pipes and Drums.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today in Holy Spirit Church, 580 Hazel St., Perth Amboy.
In addition to his wife and mother, Officer Rodriguez is survived by his father, Miguel of Villalba; his brother, Miguel of Burnt Hills, N.Y., and his sister, Anna Ramos of Perth Amboy.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Noemi claudio
September 11, 2016
Never forgotten! !!
Norma Maldonado
September 20, 2011
I pray for u on 9/11/11 and Thanked u for all u did on that horrible day..May u always RIP and guide over your Parents and wife, familia and friends...God Bless and Peace...
MARI MENDEZ-SAGASTUME
September 11, 2011
MY CONDOLENCE TO THE RODRIGUEZ FAMILY I DID NOT KNOW RICHARD PERSONALLY BUT WE HAVE SOME FRIENDS IN COMMON AS WELL AS SOME OF MY FAMILY KNEW HIM TOO. I KNOW THEY ARE REMEMBERING HIM RIGHT NOW AS I AM REMEMBERING MY FRIEND, SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND YOUTH COUNSLOR ISAIAS RIVERA.
Doug Abraham
July 2, 2009
On this Independence Day Weekend, 2009, I am celebrating the birthday of Richard Rodriguez!!! Happy Birthday!!!
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Richard Torres
September 11, 2008
Miss ya, u where like my little brother, especially when me and Miguel use to pick on you...forever you will be in my heart.
Bertil Debie
July 21, 2008
Richard, you will never walk alone
Doug Abraham
July 2, 2008
Happy Birthday!!!
Doug Abraham
July 2, 2007
Happy Birthday!!!
kristine
April 23, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
February 20, 2007
In memory....
Joyce Tirado
April 13, 2004
I remember Rich as a sweet boy with the cutest freckles in elementary school and then as a confident young man at Shull School and high school. He lives in my class photos and in my happy memories of childhood. The courage he displayed with all the men and women on 9/11 will never be forgotten. God bless.
Diana Roche
April 1, 2004
Richie was family to me. Our families were close. I will always remember the good times we had growing up. My thoughts and prayers to Annie, Guelo, Miguel, Annie and his wife Cindy.
Diana Roche
Andrew Rodriguez
September 16, 2003
To Rich's Friends,
You know the man, you knew his love. May thoughts of him always enfold you in comfort the way Rich did with his generosity.
To the people who did not know him,
Love, friendship and honor were his gifts in life-courage and strength his legacy in heaven.
To Rich,
Thank you, My Friend. Thank you for unknowingly bestowing your selfless gift upon me. You saved me in more ways than anyone will ever know. You saved me.
I love you forever.
Wilfredo Diaz
September 10, 2003
Each day I look at your memorial as it appeared in the newspaper. I keep it so that anyone walking by my office area can look and ask if I knew you? With great pride I talk about your great personally and of your qualities as a fine human being. I will keep displaying your memorial so that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Your short stay on earth touched many lives and you will be forever missed. God bless and thank you for your friendship.
Erin Talmadge
September 1, 2003
i remember the day I met Richie. It was in 1998 on his birthday. His wife Cindy had a birthday party on the beach. He was like a big brother to my fiance. They were neighbors. I remember everytime I saw him I would hide my cigarettes to aviod the That will kill you speech I knew I would get. I look back to the video tape of his birthday party and remember what a great friendship we all had. During his memorial service it was one of the hardest things I had ever witnessed if my life. We all miss you so much my house is decorated with pictures and memories of your life. I carry you on my wrist on a memorial braclett Cindy was kind enough to have made for me and your mass card guards me and my child while I drive my card.You are the bravest man I have ever met and I am truely honored to have known you. All my love goes out to your beautiful wife and family.
Joe Totero
March 29, 2003
Rich, I'm glad to have served with you on the fire department & first aid squad. You made people smile & did your best not to let the pain show from other's misfortunes. May God & Brother Firefighters watch over your family & warm their hearts when they feel alone.
Sue DaSilva-Cacoilo
September 12, 2002
September 11, 2002 - A Year After
Richie,
After seeing the names and looking at the pictures of all the victims of September 11th, did I recognize you. I immediately logged on to CNN.com to make sure that it wasn't you that I saw, but I was wrong. It was YOU...My legs just shoke and tears rolled down my face when I read your bio and Cindy's name, which confirmed that it was, in fact, you.
I worked at the Twin Towers myself, and it pains me to know that as I was running out of those burning buildings, that you were running in to save lives.
Just the other day, I came across your invitation for your 18th Birthday that Cindy sent many years ago to myself and James, your brother-in-law. I don't know why I didn't throw it out at the time, but now I do. I will always keep it now, knowing that it was a birthday party for a future hero.
I know that you were always Cindy's hero, but now you are one of America's heroes as well.
Rest in peace...And my God Keep You in His Care.
With My Deepest Sympathy,
Sue DaSilva-Cacoilo
Alberto Luis Rivera
September 11, 2002
Finally, I found a picture of my cousin Richie. I didn't see him for a lot of years but I still remember his face when he stood over my house in Juana Diaz,P.R. for vacations when he was a boy. I couldn't believe when my mother Rosa told me. My condolences to primo Guelo&Annie and family. Rest in peace.
rob / crystal williams
September 10, 2002
to the family i only knew richie for a short while through the lisi family,when we met instant friendship may you rest in peace. you will never be forgotten, thank you for being a friend.
william hawksby
May 29, 2002
Rich I knew when You were on the squad a great emt. Someone who a medic could trust I knew you as a friend as when we went out (as infrequently as i did) you were there at the flat. And our little trips to staten island . But what i remember most was when You opend up my ambulance door at newark airport you said , Yo bro you work here too.
God speed my brother and say hi to my cousin John Casazza who took that same ride with you . Love Hawk.
Angie Campbell
May 14, 2002
**********GOD BLESS YOU**********
Meg Heekin
April 15, 2002
Rest in peace Honorary Irishman. May God Bless you and comfort your family. We will miss you.
April 10, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL HERO RICHARD RODRIGUEZ AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE ..PRAY AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA ..NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PUERTO RICAN PEOPLE..MAY JESUS AND HIS SAINTS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Jeana Robles
April 9, 2002
Richie was my neighbor for about 8 years, I met him and cindy while they were still dating. we all became very close spent Birthdays and Holidays with each other going on picnics. Richie would always be outside in the summer with my son washing the cars and cleaning his motorcycle. He loved riding his bike. He and Cindy were there for me and my son when we lost my nephew Carlos. They are great friends. I went to Richie and Cindy's wedding and you could not have seen a more Gorgeous Couple, they love each other very much. God made them for each other. Cindy looked like a Princess out of a fairy tale, and Richie looked like the Prince. That was a day that I will never forget. I can close my eyes and see Richie and Cindy dancing on the floor to their song. You could feel the love that they felt for each other it was felt all around the room. Richie sang on the floor to "Paradise by the dash board light" to Cindy. It's a day I will never forget and all the others I have in my heart to remember always. My Prayers are with Cindy and all Richie's Family.
Richie I will always remember all the special times we spent together and you will always be in my heart, thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful friend.
Your friend always and forever,
Jeana Robles
Nanette Soto-Herbert
March 12, 2002
I remember Rich in High School. He was a people person, funny and, of course, everyone's friend. You'll be greatly missed!
Elias Nieves
March 12, 2002
I knew Richie when we were in Galvin school, and Shull School. We lost contact when we reached High School so I can't say I knew him after that. But when I open my photo albums and see him there in our class pictures, I remember the fun we had as kids! It saddens my heart to know that he is no longer with us. But I am happy for the lives he has touched and saved, and I'm proud for him and his family.
Magdalia Santos
March 11, 2002
I only knew Richard back when he was a boy. We went to grade school together (Rose A. Galvin School). He was a terrific friend back then, and I'm glad to know that he eventually became a great man. May he rest in peace.
Maria Ransdale
February 11, 2002
Richie, How Mr.Weglarz and I remembered you when you were a student in our school, (PAVT). On this earth we are so proud of you and we know you have brought your good cheer to heaven. Our loss is heaven's gain. Our hearts ache for your family but we will always remember you as the student you were, your happiness, kindness and boyish charm. We never knew that you hated technical drafting!
Shawn Kehoe
January 25, 2002
Rich, I'm deeply sadden that I could not attend your memorial service. I'm sure you know why, but ever since I met you when I became a Volunteer you were a great friend and you even helped me through the Fire Academy. You have left this world doing what you loved to do, and I miss you and I will never forget you. Dude you friendship will always be treasured. God Bless
Teresa Jahn
December 14, 2001
We thank Richard for his dedication of protecting others. With such a dedication he must have had a very warm heart. We are deeply sorry for your loss of Richard. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Donna Young
December 5, 2001
I just purchased my mercy band to pray for the family of Richard Rodriguez. My deepest sympathy to the family. My prayer is the Love and Peace of God would sustain them during this difficult time. You are being prayed for each and every day, Jesus loves you and he is our refuge. He says come to me all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. amen
James Bissetta
December 3, 2001
Rich was a fine man who was uncommonly devoted to his wife and the job. What I have learned about him since that terrible day is that he was more than just a guy with a badge and a gun. He had a long standing interest in all aspects of public safety. I am honored to have had him as a neighbor.
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