Gonzalo Rodriguez, church pastor, was 71

Gonzalo Rodriguez passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 71.

He was born on July 23, 1950, in Oriente, Cuba. He migrated with his mother, father and brothers to the United States at 10. The second of five brothers, he grew up in the Upper West Side.

A sharp entrepreneur, he started multiple businesses ranging from manufacturing to transportation. He was driven, determined and dedicated, which helped him succeed professionally.

He was kind, funny, curious and affable. He was also a pizza lover and master pancake maker. He was loved by his family and friends. He was dear to his neighbors for his compassion, and admired by his acquaintances for his happy, personable and approachable demeanor.

As the pastor of Riverdale Community Church, he was a spiritual leader, father, friend and mentor for his flock and anyone who needed it.

His magnetic personality and generosity of spirit will make him hard to forget. He will be missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Ana Rodriguez; his children, Cristina and husband Stephen McCarthy, Pamela Rodriguez Evans and husband Joshua Evans, and Gonzalo Quintana; his stepchildren, Raquel Martinez and partner John Fernandez, Josue Martinez and wife Ilona Steele, Carolyn Martinez and husband Wilfredo Soriano; his grandchildren, Matthew Martinez, Chloe McCarthy, Isabel Martinez, Judah McCarthy and Miles Martinez.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo, in 1982, and his mother Raquel in 2019.

He will be dearly missed by his brothers Lorenzo, Roberto, Gustavo and Carlos Rodríguez, and his extended family and friends.

A funeral service took place June 3 at Williams Funeral Home, 5628 Broadway. His burial was June 4 at Hackensack Cemetery in New Jersey.