It is with great sorrow that the Acosta Rodriguez family announces the passing of Francisco “Frank” Rodriguez Guzman, 83, in Webster, New York. On February 22, 2020, he joined beloved wife Carmen Nilda Colon Acosta, parents Gustavo A. Rodriguez & Laura Guzman, and sisters Laura Rodriguez & Sylvia Rodriguez.
He is survived by sisters Rosario Rodriguez & Nilda Rodriguez, only daughter Laura (Juan) Rodriguez De Acosta, grandchildren Frances (Magne) Myrvoll, Juan Francisco (Melissa) Acosta, Agustin Gabriel Acosta, Josean Delgado, Anthony (Jamnice) Delgado, and great-grandchildren Laura Elisa Nordvik, Linn Elizabeth Nordvik, Frank Richard Nordvik, Jaziel Delgado, & Balder Myrvoll.
Born on April 1, 1937, in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, he spent his formative years in the hills of the neighboring town of Hormigueros.
One day, he walked past a furniture store in the center of the town of Cabo Rojo; the beautiful clerk behind the counter caught his eye, and he asked her out. Though she said no, she did say that if he ever bought a mattress from her, she would reconsider her decision. Sometime later, Frank came back and bought an entire bed set. True to her word, Carmen Nilda agreed to go out on a date with Frank. On November 30, 1958, Frank & Carmen Nilda married in San Miguel Arcangel Church in Cabo Rojo; their loving union lasted until Carmen Nilda’s passing on December 7, 2010.
He initially studied trades at the Mayagüez Vocational School, then later earned his high school diploma when he graduated from the Luis Muñoz Marin School of Cabo Rojo, adult class of 1972.
He worked for Cervecería India (Cervecera de Puerto Rico) for more than 30 years, initially as a trucker, then later as a brewery worker until an injury in 1998 forced him to retire.
Years later, he moved to Rochester, New York, where he was able to enjoy his retirement doing word searches, and trying to best his long-standing Tetris high scores on the same Game Boy he’d had since the early nineteen nineties. A decades-long jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, he spent much time meticulously working on intricate puzzles, gluing and even framing the ones he was proudest of.
A lifetime baseball fan, die-hard Yankees fan, and one-time pitcher for Cerveceria India’s semi-pro softball team, Frank spent his later years as a frequent sight at Frontier Field in Rochester, where he would vociferously root for the Rochester Red Wings, always joining in with the crowd’s ‘Taco’ chants with great glee.
Throughout his life, Frank remained active in his communities, as a valued member of multiple organizations, including the Mayagüez Diocese Choir, Knights of Colombus (#1811 – Mayagüez,) & the Rotary Club of Cabo Rojo. He also co-founded an AARP chapter in Cabo Rojo. In his later years, he was part of the Hispanic group at the Hillhaven Care Center in Webster New York.
Frank Rodriguez was a kind and loving man, who left a mark on the lives of many. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Friends and Family are invited to a Memorial Service at Our Lady Of The Americas Church (864 Main Street, Rochester, NY) on Thursday March 19 at 12pm.