Rafael Rodriguez also known as Shorty or Ralphie, 66, beloved husband of Jean M Lugo-Rodriguez, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at home. Rafael was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and was the son of the late Emiliano and Paula (Del Valle) Rodriguez.

Ralph was married to Jean M Lugo-Rodriguez for 15 ½ years. Ralph is survived by his kids Emily, Margarita, Nilsa, Jose, Paulina & Veronica. Dog dad to his sidekick Machus. Grandfather to Ruben, Francisco, Yaznin, Yaznery, Luis, Ashley, Erika, Heriberto, Nayely, Luis, Danielly, Leo, Davianna & David. Great grandfather to many great grandkids. Loving brother to Herminio, Bonifacio, Maria H, Ana, Maria S & Mercedes. Ralph was predeceased by parents Emiliano & Paula, and sister Carmen.

Ralph was an immensely loving and faithful man. He was welcoming and treated all people like they were his family.

Ralph loved spending time outdoors maintaining his home and talking to and befriending his neighbors and all people. He loved spoiling his family and especially his wife, cooking her dinner and cleaning the house. He worked in the environmental services and grounds department at Hartford Hospital for over 19 years, this is also where he met his loving wife Jean. He loved his cups of coffee and to play dominos with his family. Making people laugh was a specialty for Ralph, he aimed to make everyone he crossed paths with, laugh. Ralph was a man who would take the shirt off his own back to extend it to those who needed it. He was full of compassion and understanding, he was a true example of a man.

Funeral rites for Rafael will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Augustine Church, 10 Campfield Ave., Hartford, CT.  Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, CT. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT Wednesday from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. To extend condolences to the Rodriguez family or to share a memory of Rafael, please visit dillonbaxter.com

If donations want to be made, please donate to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611.