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John Roderick Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Roderick
Mary Jane (Moniz) Sousa
August 23, 2007
Dearest Rosann:
You are a remarkable and strong woman, whom I felt was robbed of many more years with John. I know that you felt that no matter how much time you had with him, it was time well spent. But, I feel that God could have given you both more time to relax and enjoy your wonderful family. I don't know if I could ever be as strong as you are given the same situation. I sincerely admire you and always have. You and John made a wonderful team and continued to bring more happiness in this world through your son John and his family. Please know that you are always in our prayers and may God continue to bless you and your family with health, hope and happiness. May all your memories be happy and may you smile when you think of them. We all know that John is up there with Ellie looking down at us and maybe sometimes laughing at some of the crazy things that we mortals do inadvertently or otherwise. God be with you always.
Sincerely,
Mary Jane and John Sousa
Mary Jane (Moniz) Sousa
August 23, 2007
Dearest John, Aimee and daughters:
I know that you don't know us very well but your father, John, was my husband John's 1st cousin. We sincerely love your grandparents. Your father was a remarkable man, a genius by any standards. He was, as I recall, very quiet and soft spoken and could carry on a conversation with someone (like us) who hadn't seen him in a long time just as if he spoke to us every day. I am sincerely upset that you were not allowed to give the beautiful eulogy that you gave your father in church because, as you might guess, many people do not go to the burial ground for different and varied reasons and they missed out on a beautiful look back at some lovely memories. You allowed us to fill in the gaps that we had from not seeing him in such a long time. You spoke from your heart and mirrored very many feelings that we all had for him. I can remember seeing your mother running into the Chic Boutique to tell us that you and your then fiance, Aimee, were going to be married. Then, of course, I also learned that your parents were going to be grandparents. Your mother was simply ectastic about that. Both your mother and your father loved you all very much and that was not so difficult to see. All one had to do was just mention one of your names and an immediate smile showed up. I know that your own grandparents are heartbroken and extremely sad. But, because of your mother and father, they have you, your wife and daughters to love. Please accept my deep and heartfelt sympathy and may God bless you all always. Be proud of your dad and your mom and your lovely family.
Sincerely yours,
Mary Jane and John Sousa
Mary Jane (Moniz) Sousa
August 23, 2007
Dearest Uncle John and Auntie Florence:
Please know that you raised two remarkable children who have left their imprints on many of us and in our lives. I can only imagine how heavy your hearts are and you must be inconsolable. But, rest assured, I'm quite sure that they are in heaven looking down on us and probably nudging us in the right direction. May God bless you both and keep you in his care always.
All our love always,
Niece Mary Jane and Nephew John Sousa and our family.
Barbara Reardon R.N.
August 15, 2007
Dear Rosanne and family
I am very sorry about your loss. I didn't know John very long, but as soon as I met him I thought he was a very special person. He was a very personable and caring individual. I can't thank you enough for letting me read his book. He was an inspiration to all. He will be greatly missed. I will keep him and you in my thoughts and prayers.
A Gift To Us
Marc A. Gallucci
August 14, 2007
I will cherish the many times I had with John, and miss him. But the greatest gift that John gave to me was that he reached out through the internet to find me from his hospital bed. As was typical of him, he did not share what was happening to him, and did not think of himself. Instead, he wanted to cheer me up and give me positive and encouraging thoughts that would help me with my own battle with cancer. God bless you John and give you everlasting peace and happiness. And may your survivors and dependents have the strength and courage to persevere and prevail. Marc A. Gallucci
Maura Ryan
August 14, 2007
May you rest in peace John, Thank you for always being there to help us girls with clearing our heads, and keeping on track. Your thoughtful words of advice were always taken in, and as I sit back and think upon them now, I am grateful for what the wisdom I learned and admire from you. Thank you for bringing such joy and love to my friend, and her mother. We will miss you deeply.
Robert Dryden
August 14, 2007
John was a mentor and a great friend. I will never underestimate the impact he has on my life. Thank You John.
Fatima (Medeiros) Devine
August 14, 2007
Rosann,
Our thoughts are with you during this time of loss. I am sorry we didn't get to know John - but he will be missed just the same. He was an inspiration to me, even though I barely knew him.
William Stull
August 13, 2007
We often say of people we admire . . . and slightly envy, “S/he has a talent for happiness.”
John Roderick had a greater and more enviable talent. He had a talent for the happiness of other people.
John’s gift for happiness extended to his students, his co-workers, and his colleagues. Your good fortune, whether hard-earned or dumb luck, was his delight. His smile was as guileless as an infant’s and as knowing as the Buddha’s.
In academic life the perks are modest and the competition fierce. John put matters in perspective. How many times I bellyached to him about inconsequential trivialities. He lent an ear, smiled beatifically, and left me feeling lighter on my feet. My big beef was a meatball.
When I think of John, I see his smile—and his guitar. He owned a quality instrument, a Martin, I believe, and he played it well. He loved the writings of our most lasting contemporary poets, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. He sang “The Boxer” with a slugger’s soul, and everyone who heard him sang along.
John lived two-thirds of the life he should have lived. As a teacher, writer, and musician he was just warming up when the curtain fell. “Cruel, cruel, the rain and the wind,” Bob Dylan sings in “Percy’s Song.”
I’m going to listen for John’s song, watch for his smile, and celebrate the lucky fact that I crossed his path for twenty-five years at the University of Hartford. He was . . and is . . . a man whose happiness is always ours.
Arthur Auten
August 13, 2007
Rosann and John, Our hearts are with you. After knowing John 26 years, we are happy for his life but saddened at his untimely passing. His kindly, open manner made his own life a poetic journey.
Upbeat and loving to the end, John
is sorely missed. Former Dean Auten
Lowell vanderlip
August 11, 2007
John, you have been an inspiration to all who have had the privilege of knowing you. Your guitar, your poetry, your prose. Thank you for the love you have given to my family. You are, and will remain an important part of our lives. Lowell and Betsy in Vermont
Paula J. Alderette
August 11, 2007
Oh John Roderick…We talked and talked and talked yet there is still so much to say. Thank you John. Thanks for your tales and bringing me along on your adventures: days of boyhood friends; Billy, bales of hay and numerous escapes; of basketball; playing with creamers on restaurant tables; of motorcycles and muscle trucks; of favorite Aunts and playing cards; of Hampton Beach and smugglers reach; of Ellie, Ro and your John; all else you loved enough to share with me. Thank you for your poetry of Rain on Sunday and Rearview Mirror; and the stories most especially Shell Keepers. Thank you for all you gave to me, life’s lessons, your honesty, your wisdom, your mentoring, your praise and reprimand. Thank you for all your words and the great privilege of your friendship.
I was, am, and always shall be your friend,
Paula
John, Mary Anne & Ro...December 1971
August 10, 2007
Mary Anne Counts
August 10, 2007
I met John at the 1966 Warren Summer Festival when I was 18 years old. I was singing in one folk group and he in another. He thought his group might use a girl singer and invited me to try out. We have kept in touch over the years.
I thought he would always be there. I will miss him sorely, especially his sense of humor. Robert and I and the boys send our deepest sympathy to Ro and all of John's family
Peter Sousa
August 10, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Peter Sousa
August 10, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Dorothy Sousa
August 10, 2007
Dear Rosann,
Our deepest condolences. We will miss our nephew and memories of him will be in our hearts forever. We send our thoughts and prayers of peace and comfort your way.
(Dorothy and Tony Sousa. Orlando,Fl.)
Bryn and Gar Weymouth
August 10, 2007
It was such a privilege to know this remarkable man... a devoted father, a loving husband,a gifted writer, a loyal friend...a great loss for all that knew him. Gar and I send our thoughts and prayers of peace and comfort your way.
Judith Glynn
August 10, 2007
John and I met in 1976. He was teaching a writing course at Rhode Island College. I was escaping a failed marriage. I pondered whether to choose belly dancing or his Creative Writing 101 class. Thirty-one years later I'm still writing thanks to John's patience, softness, skill and friendship. He was an extremely gifted teacher, one who gave me my life back through the written word. His life was taken from all of us much too early. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Charles Wagar
August 10, 2007
A life well lived is a gift of hope, strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter and better place. It's filled with moments sweet and sad, with smiles and tears, with friendships and good times shared through the years. John's legacy of joy, pride and pleasure is a lasting memory we will treasure forever. I only had the privilege of knowing and working with John for a few years, yet it was obvious that he was loved by the faculty and students of Hillyer College. We will miss his wise council and smile.
With heartfelt sympathy at your time of sorrow as we remember John's life and legacy. John truly had "A Life Well Lived."
Maria Aylward
August 10, 2007
Dear Rosann, Deep condolences. I still have the beautiful poem "The Librarian" you asked John to write for my 40th birthday celebration at school. That is a treasure. Love, Maria
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