Jose A. ''Tony'' Rodriguez, 60, Area Manager for Nordson Corp.
Jose A. "Tony" Rodriguez 60 of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, passed away Friday, February 4th, 2011 in his home following a battle with cancer.
He was born August 20th, 1950 in Manhattan, New York. He was raised in the Bronx, NY while graduating from Samuel Gompers High School. In 1973, Tony relocated to Caguas, Puerto Rico after receiving his Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force. In 1975, he relocated to Lorain, Ohio where he resided for 12 years before being transferred by his employer (Nordson) to Richmond, Virginia and then again to Downingtown, PA in 1991.
Tony served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, earning The Good Conduct, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals.
He was an Area Manager for Nordson Corporation and worked with the Corporation for over 26 years. Previously, he worked at U. S. Steel Lorain Works, Saint Joseph Hospital and Lorain County Community College.
He was a member of Saint Philip and James Catholic Church, Exton, Pennsylvania and a former member of Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain, Ohio. Tony was an avid golfer, who enjoyed politics, music, reading, and dancing. Tony is well known to his friends and family for his sense of humor and quick comebacks. He was a warm loving and compassionate person who always remained genuine with his approach.
Tony will be deeply missed by his wife of 35 years Evelyn Rodriguez (née Flores) of Downingtown, PA; children Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr. (Michelle Arroyo), Melissa M. Rodriguez, Andre A. Rodriguez of Downingtown, PA, and Michael A. Cavin of Toledo, OH; mother Candida Velez and brother Angelo Cantellope both of Bronx, NY; sisters Nilsa Cantellope of Allentown, PA and Lisa Rodriguez of Bronx, NY and Sally Rodriguez of Chicago, IL; grand daughter Sienna Celise Rodriguez of Downingtown, PA and step-mother Sarah Rodriguez of Bronx, NY.
His father Miguel Antonio Rodriguez of Bronx, NY preceded him in death.
His family will receive friends Thursday, February 10th from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain, Ohio (440) 277-8164. Closing prayers will be Friday, February 11th at 8:45 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain, OH. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, OH where the Disabled American Veterans, Louis Paul Proy, Chapter 20, Lorain will conduct military honors.