Anne Marie Ventura – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Remembers Retired Executive Chef with Memorial Mass

Michelle Lang — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:36:09 +0000

91��Ƭ 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’s family members, friends and colleagues gathered at St. Joseph Plaza Sept. 27 to honor and remember him.

“Joe’s Memorial Mass and reception was a beautiful, warm gathering of friends and family,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “We enjoyed each other’s company and shared stories that were both funny and underscored Joe’s seemingly bottomless kindness and compassion. He was a great man who went about his goodness quietly and without any fanfare. We will miss him.”

Father Beatus Kitururu led the mass and pointed out that Rodriguez was always smiling, citing photos of him in the room.

“Now that smile tells you the personality of the person. He’s a person full of faith,” he said. “Joe 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.”

91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson called Rodriguez special.

“Joe was a great person. He never said no to anyone,” she said, citing the many Thanksgiving meals he made for those in need over the years. “He never complained about anything.”

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’t 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.

“So 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,” 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.

“Any time I heard ‘Come Hungry, Leave Happy,’ I always thought about Joe. Joe was such a wonderful gift to all of us here at 91��Ƭ. We always came hungry if we knew that Joe was cooking. And no doubt, you always left full and happy,” she said.

Teabout also spoke about his deep faith.

“Joe was a christian, a devout Catholic. And he followed those words of Jesus,” she said. “He had compassion.”

Two of Rodriguez’s daughters spoke at the Memorial Mass in his honor. They said their father loved working for 91��Ƭ and Monsignor Linder.

“Every time Father Linder accomplished anything, Dad accomplished something because he was so happy. And I see that he loved all of you,” said daughter Anne Marie Ventura. “And as much as he didn’t like parties and everything else, I think he would’ve been very pleased that we’re all assembled together for mass here in his honor. I can’t think of anything better.”

Joyce Hessemer, another one of Rodriguez’s daughters, agreed that her father loved 91��Ƭ and was extremely dedicated to his work. She said she wished he had more time to enjoy his retirement, but she knows he’s in a good place.

“I can’t be sad and think about all the things he could’ve done in his retirement because he’s with God,” Hessemer said. “He’s having the best retirement he ever could have.”

Remembering Longtime NCC Executive Chef Joe Rodriguez

Michelle Lang — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 19:40:34 +0000

Jose “Joe” Rodriguez worked at 91��Ƭ for nearly 33 years before his retirement in January. He passed away Aug. 10 at the age of 84. Photo courtesy of Anne Marie Ventura.

Many who are part of the 91��Ƭ network know the name Joe Rodriguez. He served as the executive chef for the organization for nearly 33 years. He passed away Aug. 10 at the age of 84.
Rodriguez retired this past January, working well beyond the age when people typically retire.
“He was a hard worker. And he loved 91��Ƭ, that’s for sure,” said daughter Anne Marie Ventura. “He liked the work and he liked the people. He made a home there.”
NCC’s late founder Monsignor William J. Linder hired Rodriguez to be the chef to oversee the opening of the Priory Restaurant. 91��Ƭ five years later, Rodriguez was transferred to Extended Care where he remained for the rest of his NCC career. He oversaw the meals prepared for the nursing home residents in addition to preparing meals for NCC special events and several schools NCC served.
“It isn’t often that you see the dedication that Joe Rodriguez brought to NCC every day for almost 33 years,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “I never heard a harsh word come out of Joe’s mouth. He was truly part of the NCC fabric. Every meal that Joe produced was important. He will be missed by all of us.”
Ventura said Rodriguez loved to cook, even when he wasn’t working. She said he would cook for his family and for parties hosted by family members and friends.
“I’m looking through all his things and behind every little paper, there’s a menu,” she said.
In addition to his love of cooking, Rodriguez enjoyed helping others. He fed the homeless at his church, Immaculate Conception in Elizabeth, about once a month and spent Thanksgivings cooking turkeys for those in need.
“Joe loved his job and cooking was a passion of his,” said 91��Ƭ Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson. “He exuded a little ray of sunshine each time that I saw him. He was an exceptional and extraordinary person.”
Ventura said Rodriguez was a good father and was dedicated to his family. He was very close with his wife who passed away in 2015. Rodriguez leaves behind three daughters and eight grandchildren.
“He was a real family man. He just always wanted to make us happy and he was very generous. He was always there for us,” Ventura said. “He was a funny guy but he was very strong willed and very religious.”
Rodriguez was in the seminary for a time.
“He really had some strong Catholic values and he instilled them in all of us,” Ventura said.
Rodriguez had great respect for Monsignor Linder, who often made requests for his food.
“My dad made some amazing soups and pastries,” Ventura said. “And Father Linder would put his orders in.”
Rodriguez also had a strong work ethic, rarely taking time off. He would even travel to work in a snowstorm to make sure food was prepared at Extended Care.
Even in retirement, Rodriguez continued to cook. He planned a July 4 barbecue with his family that included king crab legs, clams casino, spare ribs and fried chicken. He wasn’t feeling well when the day came, but the family pitched in by following his instructions and pulled everything together.
“He was very proud to show off his food and also that we helped him,” Ventura said.
91��Ƭ will host a Memorial Mass in Rodriguez’s honor Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Plaza.