John Rodrigues, Jr.

John Rodrigues, Jr., 97, of Adams House, 1168 Highland Ave., Fall River, formerly of Swady Pond, passed away Friday at Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Florence T. (Drabble) Rodrigues, together they had shared 39 years of marriage.

Born in Fall River, MA, a son of the late John and Ermelinda (Correia) Rodrigues, Sr.

Mr. Rodrigues had worked as a maintenance mechanic at Firestone Tire & Rubber for 33 years, until they closed. He then worked at Tillotson Rubber until his retirement in 1978.

He was a long serving former member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. As a young man, he was a member of President Roosevelt's great Civilian Conservation Corp. Army of Peace from 1935-1937. He was stationed in Vermont where his company built the Waterbury Dam.

He enjoyed wintering in Florida and continued to do so after his wife passed in 1986.

He was a special man, a good man, who was always smiling. He was cherished by his family. He loved living on Sawdy Pond where he always had a project going and could fish to his heart's content. He would often be seen out on the pond in his boat with his dog, Maggie. For the past year, he lived at Adams House where he received loving care. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Patricia Menoche (Husband Richard) of Little Compton, RI and Deborah Rodrigues of Fall River, MA; a sister, Alice Rodrigues and a brother, Manuel Rodrigues, both of Somerset, MA; a son-in-law, William Vieira; 5 grandchildren; William Vieira, Lori Ann Smith (Husband Ron), Debra Nicolay (Husband George), John Rodrigues, IV and Darron Hacking; 6 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Dorothy Vieira and John Rodrigues, III and brother of the late Edward Rodrigues, Laurentino Rodrigues, George Rodrigues, Joseph Rodgers, Mary Costa and Rose Rapoza.

His funeral will be held Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. from the Oliveira Funeral Home, 2064 South Main St., followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in St. Dominic Church, Swansea. Interment in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Calling hours Tuesday 4 - 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory, would be appreciated to Adams House, 1168 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720.