Anthony Albert “Mendoza” Rodriguez, 44, a resident of Chamita passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. He was born May 9, 1967 in Grants, NM. Anthony was a special person with a free spirit who lived his life to the fullest. He had an unconditional love for his children and grandchildren. In his own words he would say I love them the world. He had a passion and love for music that molded who he was. He had many friends and everywhere he went, everyone knew Mendoza. He shared a special relationship with all his nieces and nephews; he loved them all the same. Anthony was very giving and always forgiving. Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Genaro Rodriguez, Sr.; brother, Thomas Rodriguez; special nieces: Stephanie and Analyssa Padilla; maternal grandparents, Alberto and Rosita DeHerrera; paternal grandparents, Rosendo and Fedelina Rodriguez; uncles: Modesto and Felix Rodriguez, Romolo DeHerrera, Raymond Wheeler, Bob Kufelt, Gene Lovesee, Arthur Martinez and Greg Trujillo; aunt, Oralia Kufelt; cousins: Patrick Chavez and Juanito Sanchez; friend, Eddie “Espantau” Aragon; Godfather, Alfonso Martinez; mother of his children, Denise Herrera. Anthony is survived by his children: Michael and companion Alyssa, Ryan and companion Bridgette, Andrea Rodriguez; granddaughters: Natasha and Denisha; companion, Crystal Lopez; mother, Irene and step-father, Eddie Vigil; brother, Genaro Rodriguez, Jr. and wife Sally; sisters: Debra Martinez and husband Anthony, Betty Rodriguez and companion Manuel Martinez, Marylou and companion Johnny Garcia, Julia Rodriguez; uncles: David De Herrera and wife Marie, Pete DeHerrera and wife Roberta; aunts: Lydia Wheeler, Rose DeHerrera, Linda Chavez and husband Paul, Cordie Herrera and husband Aldonaldo, June Galvan and companion Gilbert Garcia, JoAnn DeAuergo and husband Arsenio, Bernie Trujillo, Maxine Martinez, Elma Lovesee, Flora Granadino and husband Jose, Epimenia Rodriguez; Godmother, Laura Gallegos; along with many other special nieces, nephews; lifelong friend, Carlos Martinez; numerous other loving relatives & friends. Public visitation will be held on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh with burial to follow at San Pedro Cemetery in Chamita with the following serving as pallbearers: Carlos Martinez, Norman DeHerrera, Anthony Wheeler, Joseph Archuleta, Joe Fresquez, Leonard De Herrera and Adrian Chacon. The family of Anthony Albert “Mendoza” Rodriguez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.