Manuel Rodriguez

Manuel Rodriguez, 65, a resident of Lee County, FL for the past 35 years passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on January 11, 2023 in Captiva, FL.

Manuel was born on September 3, 1957 in Manhattan, NY to Jose Rodriguez and Carmen Matias. Manuel attended primary school at Mark Hopkins in Manhattan and graduated from Bushwick High School in Brooklyn as an art major.

Manuel, known to friends and family as “Manny” moved to Lawrence, MA at the age of 20 and worked for Digital Electronics. From there at the age of 22 he moved to San Marcos, TX and worked for Coca Cola Inc. Later moving to Homestead, FL at the age of 26 and worked for the House of Doors. Ultimately moving at the age of 30 and spending the remainder of his life in Cape Coral, FL working for Marine Concepts first and later starting his own business R&R Professionals as an independent contractor.

Manuel met the love of his life Barbara when they were children in New York and determined to win her affection he moved to Lawrence, MA and ultimately married his beautiful wife Barbara Jimenez in 1978 and remained faithfully wed for the remainder of his life. Manuel and Barbara had their first son, Jeremiah the following year while living in Lawrence and had their second son, Nehemiah while living in Cape Coral.

Manuel was a man of faith and a devout Christian, he was baptized as one of Jehovahs Witnesses on September 9, 1978. He loved serving Jehovah God and teaching others the Bible. He served as an auxiliary Pioneer for 10 years and was a regular pioneer from September 1, 2016 and continued as one until his death. Not only did he volunteer his time to teach others the Bible, but he volunteered on many theocratic building projects helping to build Kingdom Halls and was especially grateful for the privilege to work at the headquarters of the Jehovahs Witnesses in Warwick NY.

Manuel will be remembered as a fun loving, jovial, kindhearted man. He was the kind of person that would sacrifice for others and “give you the shirt off his back.” He had a way of inspiring generosity in others and was constantly organizing groups of young and old in an effort to help ones in need. Manuel found a way to see and love the good in people and encouraged people to be their best self. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He liked playing basketball with his sons and friends as well as fishing, dancing, drawing, working on cars and telling bad dad jokes.

Manuel was a friend to all and will be deeply missed by many.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Rodriguez and Carmen Matias and his three brothers, Joe Rodriguez, Marcus Rodriguez and Ovet Rodriguez.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Rodriguez; his children, Jeremiah Rodriguez, Nehemiah Rodriguez and daughter in laws, Melissa Echeverry and Cela Chu. As well as his eight siblings, Jeannette Matthews, Yvette Lucas, Carmen Innis, Maritza Laporte, Marisol Vickers, Iris Rodriguez, Cesillia Rodriguez, Josephine Rodriguez, Peter Rodriguez, Angel Rodriguez, and Alex Rodriguez.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 4:00 PM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023 AT CALOOSA CONGREGATION, 701 HUTTO ROAD, NORTH FORT MYERS, FL 33903.

FOLLOWED BY A CELEBRATION OF LIFE AT 5:30 PM AT HACIENDA JALISCO, 17501 SLATER ROAD, NORTH FORT MYERS, FL 33917. (Food and Beverage will be provided)

All friends and family are welcome to attend.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.