Jorge Rodriguez

Jorge V. Rodriguez

Passed away on December 30th, 2014 at 2:00 p.m., at his home in Rio Vista, California. He was 89. Death came about as the result of a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall. He had been long suffering from Parkinson's disease, and kidney disease.

George was born in 'Guadalajara, Mexico on January 17, 1925 to Mary Villaran and Jesus Rodriguez. He came to this country in his teens, studying at Mission High and San Francisco City College. He later became a naturalized citizen. He lived most of his life in San Francisco and San Mateo counties, finally retiring to Trilogy Retirement Community in Rio Vista in Solano County.

As a young man, George joined and eventually took over the family business, Mi Rancho Market, in the Mission District of San Francisco. He also owned two restaurants, Rancho Fiesta and La Fogata, as well as a wholesale business, Intercontinental Foods. He was an active member of the Mission Merchants Association and a former president of el Comite Civico Patriotico de Mexico of San Francisco.

He was a fiercely devoted Catholic, having lost his own father to the anti-Catholic forces in Mexico. George became active in the Knights of Columbus and in assisting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was always helping those in need who would show up at the market.

George is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Gloria Cisneros Rodriguez, and his sister, Gloria Ruelas. He leaves four surviving children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass to celebrate and honor his life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 713 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.