Elliot Rodriguez of Cheektowaga, NY, went home to be with the Lord on January 9, 2019, after a long battle with Alzheimer.
What can be said about this man?
Elliot was a very optimistic person and genuine in his pursuits.
It is evident in even his greatest accomplishment, which was conquering the love of his life, Clarita Rodriguez.
It was love at first sight when he met her as a young boy in Puerto Rico. They were married for 61 years.
He never hesitated to tell anyone who would listen, how much he loved her and how blessed he was to have such a beautiful woman.
Not even Alzheimer’s could make him forget the love for his wife and for God.
He also had a great love for learning and had a library of over 1,200 books.
At the age of 27 he taught math as a substitute teacher at Hunter College in New York City.
Photography was another passion of his.
In the 70s, he graduated from the New York School of Photography and served as photographer at a variety of venues for many years,
where he was often referred to as the singing photographer.
Elliot loved to dance, sing and always had a smile on his face.
He was rarely seen without his favorite fedora hat.
He could be half asleep and would immediately wake up to the sound of music and start dancing with all his heart.
Elliot wrote over 80 songs and loved to sing, expressing his love for God.
He would not hesitate to sing and dance if you asked him to.
He frequently would ask people if they thought he was good looking and if he was told yes,
he would bat his eyes and have a cheese smile and say “ohhh yes”.
He had a sweet tooth and loved lollipops. He was a man full of life!
Elliot was a beloved husband to Clarita Rodriguez; devoted father of Elliot (Jackie) Rodriguez,
Elliott Jr. Rodriguez, Jeanette Garcia, Diana Rodriguez, Valerie (Daniel) Pizarro, Joseph Rodriguez (deceased), Richard (Virginia) Rodriguez, Kenney (Uche) Rodriguez, Belinda (Raul) Francis;
loving son of the late Jose and Angela Diaz-Rodriguez;
dear brother of the late Ana Diaz and Santos Diaz.
He is also loved by his 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews
