The PGR has been invited by the family to Honor Nicholas R. Rodriguez, 86, at his funeral, and it is our privilege to so.
Nicholas “Nick” Rodriguez, at the age of 18 enlisted in the US Marine Corps on a Friday in March 1953 and left for training that very next Monday. A decision that required the utmost amount of respect, but he also left behind the love of his life, Mickey (Anaya), and vowed to marry her when he returned. Fortunately, he returned safely, and they were married on June 30, 1954. Nick was honorably discharged from the Marines after serving his enlistment.
Nick was born on August 11, 1933 in Bayshore, San Francisco, CA, to Nicholas Rodriguez and Justina Ramos. He was the youngest of 14 children. At the age of 5, Nick unfortunately lost his father. He often spoke of the admiration for the strength of his mother for raising them on her own. He spent most of his childhood in Casmalia, CA, working and playing on the railroad tracks and flinging “cow pies.” Nick carried the ethics of his mother with him always and was known to be a hard worker and always demanded a level of respect.
Nick and his wife created a wonderful life together, moving to San Jose where Nick worked for a grain company and they had 3 beautiful children, Annette, Nicholas Jr and Ronnie. They eventually moved back to Santa Maria in 1969, where Nick began working for Santa Maria Bonita School District and retired in 1995.
He took great pride in many things, The Marines, his landscaping--- he even won a “beautiful yard award”, his 1965 Chevy Truck, being a 49er fan, trains, but the one thing he was most proud of was being a grandfather/great grandfather.
Nick is survived by his 5 grandchildren, Carl Bondetti (Laura Lugo), Kara Bondetti, Vanessa Malangko (Mark), Melissa Cooper (Matthew), and Andrea Rodriguez. He was often known to beam about and pull out pictures of his great grandchildren Lexi, Zoey and Xander Cooper, and Jeremiah, Micah and Mark Malangko.
Nick is also survived by his beautiful bride of 65 years, Mickey (Anaya), and his youngest son and daughter in law, Ronnie and Suzy Rodriguez, and son in law Jim Chapman, as well as several nieces and nephews and family members.
Nick now rests in peace with his brothers and sisters, mother and father, older son Nicholas Jr. and daughter Annette Chapman. He passed away on February 20, 2020 surrounded by close family.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran.
Time Table for Friday, Feb. 28th 2020: 1000 - Stage at Santa Maria Cemetery, 1501 S. College Dr., Santa Maria Ca. 93454
https://goo.gl/maps/7wiN7qyEBY3QE8Ub71015 - Mission Briefing
1030 - Flag line for the Hero with full Military Honors
Please bring your Flag, and water none will ProvidedR/C John Archuleta (Milkshake)
PGR Assistant State Captain So.Central Ca.US Army 62/65
805-441-8506
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
