Jaime R. Rodriguez, of Hartford, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and lived in Hartford for over 40 years.

Jaime was an avid reader and excellent pool player who enjoyed his morning ritual of playing dominos with his wife, cooking, and spending time with family on Sundays. Playing table and card games with his grandchildren was a highlight for him. Jaime served proudly as an 82nd Airborne Infantry soldier and in the Vietnam War. Jaime received the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and A Bronze Star along with many others.

Jaime was a man of the people. His character deeply rooted and guided by his faith. He would step into the role of a true selfless humanitarian, especially in his community. He was considered the unofficial mayor of Dart Gardens where his love, patience, and compassion would extend to others for 37 years. Always the advocate, no matter how small or big the problem would be, he made sure he was part of the solution. For example: many times Jaime would sit with the elderly who might not have understood paperwork because of the language barrier.  He would translate and point them in the right direction.  He was the man that volunteered numerous times with school events at his children's school. All the children in the neighborhood loved Jaime.  His love extended to them with the same selfless passion as if they were his family. Always having more than enough snacks, juices, hot dogs and hamburgers, knowing that once the neighborhood children were around he had to make sure they were fed and happy.  His jokes were legendarily corny yet easy to remember and even though you would hear a joke 1000 times, he would tell them to you as if it was his first time. Knowing him felt like you where home. With his singing of the oldies and dancing or banging on the table to make music with his grandchildren.  No matter who you were or where you were, if he was there you were home. He embodied the meaning of home. He was the center of gravity and the guiding compass for everyone around him.

In his professions and throughout his life, Jaime's heart and soul poured all over his responsibilities.  Jaime worked for the American Red Cross for 20 years, where he was deeply involved in disaster relief locally as well as out of state, helping others in their hardest moments in life. After his employment at the American Red Cross, Jaime worked for HARC helping with the mentality challenged in various ways and building a positive bond and connections with those he worked with.

Jaime was a godsend.  A positive, bright, light for darkness to fear his loving, caring, protective presence.

His marriage was one for the books. A bar set so high it would give others reasons to want to find their soulmate. He would sing to his wife love songs with such admirable passion. He would dance with her and never stopped reminding her of how beautiful she was. Not only was he in love with his wife, he never stopped having a childhood crush on her. That crush influenced him to constantly buy her flowers or little gifts, just to let her know she was cherished and lived in his soul. She was the beating of his heart for their 42 years of marriage. Her happiness was most important of all. In his last days he would ask his wife "Did I make you happy?" and she responded saying "you gave me a perfect life and made me the happiest woman in the world and you are my soulmate."

A man amongst men
A king to his queen
A father to all
And an angle from God
You will be missed

Jaime is survived by his wife, Lucy Rodriguez, by his mother Lourdes Rivera of NJ, his son Jaime Rodriguez, Jr. of New Britain, his 2 daughters; Elena L. Rodriguez and Emily Rodriguez, both of Hartford, his 2 brothers; Julio Rodriguez of NJ and Rafael Rodriguez of FL. He also leaves his 5 grandchildren; Nia Shields, Marcus Rodriguez, Jacob Rodriguez, Alyssa Rodriguez, and Julius E. Shields, Jr. as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, November 21, 2021, from 5 to 8 PM at the Dillon Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke. Wethersfield, CT 06109. The funeral will be on Monday the 22 ^nd at 11:00 AM at the Dillon Baxter Funeral Home, burial with full military honors will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.