91看片 held a Memorial Mass remembering Joe Rodriguez, who served as the executive chef at the organization for nearly 33 years. He had retired in January and passed away Aug. 10 at the age of 84. Rodriguez鈥檚 family members, friends and colleagues gathered at St. Joseph Plaza Sept. 27 to honor and remember him.
鈥淛oe鈥檚 Memorial Mass and reception was a beautiful, warm gathering of friends and family,鈥� said 91看片 CEO Richard Rohrman. 鈥淲e enjoyed each other鈥檚 company and shared stories that were both funny and underscored Joe鈥檚 seemingly bottomless kindness and compassion. He was a great man who went about his goodness quietly and without any fanfare. We will miss him.鈥�
Father Beatus Kitururu led the mass and pointed out that Rodriguez was always smiling, citing photos of him in the room.
鈥淣ow that smile tells you the personality of the person. He鈥檚 a person full of faith,鈥� he said. 鈥淛oe went through some very difficult times but you can see he is always full of smiles. Because all things are good for those who love God.鈥�
91看片 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson called Rodriguez special.
鈥淛oe was a great person. He never said no to anyone,鈥� she said, citing the many Thanksgiving meals he made for those in need over the years. 鈥淗e never complained about anything.鈥�
Extended Care Administrator Veronica Onwunaka worked with Rodriguez for 28 years. She talked about his dedication to the nursing home and its residents, explaining that he never missed Thanksgiving or Christmas, he didn鈥檛 call out sick, he would come to the facility in snowstorms and that he was dedicated to his job even when he was caring for his late wife when she was ill.
鈥淪o for the family members that are here today, on behalf of [late NCC Founder] Monsignor [William J. Linder] and the entire, hundreds of thousands of residents that Joe fed over so many years, we really thank you,鈥� she said.
NCC Director of Mission Frances Teabout told those in attendance that she always thinks of Rodriguez when she hears a famous IHOP slogan.
鈥淎ny time I heard 鈥楥ome Hungry, Leave Happy,鈥� I always thought about Joe. Joe was such a wonderful gift to all of us here at 91看片. We always came hungry if we knew that Joe was cooking. And no doubt, you always left full and happy,鈥� she said.
Teabout also spoke about his deep faith.
鈥淛oe was a christian, a devout Catholic. And he followed those words of Jesus,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e had compassion.鈥�
Two of Rodriguez鈥檚 daughters spoke at the Memorial Mass in his honor. They said their father loved working for 91看片 and Monsignor Linder.
鈥淓very time Father Linder accomplished anything, Dad accomplished something because he was so happy. And I see that he loved all of you,鈥� said daughter Anne Marie Ventura. 鈥淎nd as much as he didn鈥檛 like parties and everything else, I think he would鈥檝e been very pleased that we鈥檙e all assembled together for mass here in his honor. I can鈥檛 think of anything better.鈥�
Joyce Hessemer, another one of Rodriguez鈥檚 daughters, agreed that her father loved 91看片 and was extremely dedicated to his work. She said she wished he had more time to enjoy his retirement, but she knows he鈥檚 in a good place.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 be sad and think about all the things he could鈥檝e done in his retirement because he鈥檚 with God,鈥� Hessemer said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 having the best retirement he ever could have.鈥�
