Bernabe Rodriguez, age 89, died peacefully on February 4th. Bernabe was known to friends as Benny, to family as Minin, to his children as Pops or Viejo and to his grandkids as Abuelo or GrandPa.
Minin was born in Moca, Puerto Rico and loved “la Isla del Encanto”, but left for New York to fulfill dreams and to provide opportunities for his future family. Not knowing much English, he learned to speak Italian so he could continue to make bread, (the kind that you eat, not the one that you buy things with).
He once said, “well the bakers in Brooklyn didn’t know Spanish and I didn’t know English, so we compromised, and I learned to speak Italian with the best bakers in New York.” His clothes were always covered with flour, he liked to dress well but most of the time was seen in white t-shirts and dark slacks. No one cared too much about his appearance, the bread that he brought home looked amazing, smelled wonderous and tasted so good – it was gone before you knew it.
In time, he settled down and passed on his love of bread, baseball, and dominoes to his children: Migna, Alex, Steven and Haydee. His children would go on to start their own families and produce fruit in the lives of many but that is a story for another day….
He returned to Puerto Rico but was drawn back to Philadelphia and eventually Blackwood, NJ where from a small apartment he dispensed sagely advice in a gentle voice to those willing to lend an ear. He often spoke of his Faith, shared his favorites stories and characters from the Bible and once in a while would speak of his encounters with souls in this world. When departing he would always bless those around him with gentle reminders to “go to church”, “drive carefully” and exclaim “wait a minute so I can give you a “Bendición””.
Rest now, mi Viejo. Until we see each other again, we remember your favorite parting words:
“Que Dios te Bendiga y te proteja.”
“May God bless you and protect you.”
Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing Thursday 8:15-10:15 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM at the Church of The Holy Family, Washington Twp. Interment, Manahath Cemetery, Glassboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernabe’s memory may be made to the Church of The Holy Family, 226 Hurffville Rd., Sewell, NJ 08080.