Tributes

They say that love is a decision that shows up at your door, unceasingly. René Rodríguez Llano, Sr. loved with courage and a fighting spirit — for his dreams, for his family, and for his friends. From protecting the safety and future of his family to inspiring his children’s dreams, he worked and sacrificed no matter the cost. He exemplified perseverance and the meaning of “getting things done.” It is this courage, work ethic, and fighting spirit that lives on in his three children. René Rodríguez Llano, Sr. is part of a rich Spanish and Cuban heritage and a story of immigration. He captured our mother’s heart with his good looks and charisma. He was a respected banker for the Royal Bank of Canada, but he was also known in his neighborhood for his resourcefulness, achievements, and deep love for his country. With only $5 in his pocket, a wife, one child on the way, and one already in the U.S. he was determined to get his family out of communist Cuba. He did this but the risk for freedom did not stop there in 1961. He loved his wife of 66 years profoundly — not only as a provider but as a man who risked his life in returning to Cuba in 1964 to bring her parents and family to the land of opportunity, not knowing whether he would return to the United States. Some may call it foolish; others would say, “That’s what love does.” After learning the trade from GulfMart, Papi became an entrepreneur. He opened a chain of fabric stores in San Antonio, purchased a nursery, and later introduced pastries, fried chicken, and deli equipment to a major grocery chain in Mexico. During his off time, he was always fixing something — anything — around the house. He could fix anything his own way — never correct or safe, but it always lasted long enough until we got a new one. At every point in our lives, he did what he could to make our lives better. When his grandchildren came into his world, he made sure that for all the times he couldn’t be there during our childhood, he made up for it with them — the grandchildren he so dearly loved. He never missed a practice, game or event. In fact, whenever we couldn’t make it to one of our children’s activities, he would be ready to help pick them up and take them to whatever they needed - practice, games or to school. All his grandchildren still speak fondly of those days he’d pick them up from school — because, of course, he’d always take them straight to Shipley’s Donuts or Sonic. One of our favorite memories is of him in the garage fixing cars. He’d call for help, and as one of us watched his “system,” we thought he was nuts. He would take each part out one at a time, laying them in a zigzag pattern across the garage floor. When he found the broken part, he’d drive to the auto shop, buy a replacement, and retrace his zigzag path to reassemble everything. When he turned the key, the car would start — if only for a second — and he'd smirk like a good Cuban man who always had confidence it would work and as if to say, “I told you so.” He had his sayings, too: “Follow my finger” (when you asked where something was). “Dímelo cantando” (when he answered the phone). “Cómelo con pan para que te llenes” (when we’d sneak ham and cheese from the fridge). “That’s what you get for jumping on the bed” (when something went wrong) and last but not least, he would always say “Thank you for coming!” Rene is preceded in death by his parents, Juan Jose and Silvina Rodriguez; his brothers Jose Angel and Osmel Rodriguez; and his sisters Maria Garrido and Miriam Rodriguez: and his loving, elegant, beautiful, stunning, angelic wife of 66 years Rosa Rodriguez Calvo. This legacy continues through his daughter, Carina Rodríguez-Nejtek (Mark), with her daughter Natalia Magistretti (Eugenio) and six great grandchildren; his son, René Rodríguez Jr., with his three sons — René III (Keyler), Andrés, and Santiago; and his daughter, Lourdes Shannon, with her daughter, Analisse Skiles(Jake). Our father was a man of few words. Conversations with him rarely lasted more than three sentences. He wasn’t a storyteller — perhaps he was protecting us or perhaps he was just a man who always wanted to look forward. He was a fighter. Even when his passing was near, he would ask, “What else can we do?” We only hope we can pass on the courage our father had to our children. That would be a legacy he would be proud of. We miss you so very much. You have loved well — loving husband, Papi, Papapa, Abuelo. Bisabuelo, and family man. Rest now, and always know you will forever be in our hearts with loving memories. Te queremos mucho, Papi. ❤️

Tributes

Rene Rodriguez Sr.

February 21, 1933 - September 26, 2025