Father John Candido Rodriguez

FR. JOHN CANDIDO RODRIGUEZ

Father John Cándido Rodríguez passed away peacefully in his home in Corral de Piedra on October 31, 2024. He was born less than a mile away, in his parents’ home in Española, New Mexico on August 9, 1934. The son of Manuel D. Rodríguez and Lugardita Salazar Rodríguez, he was deeply rooted in this land and community that he loved. 

A graduate of Española High in 1952, Cándido left New Mexico to attend Mount Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict, Oregon completing his studies in 1959. He became an ordained priest and celebrated his first Mass on May 29,1960 at the Sacred Heart Church in Española. Father John furthered his studies at Catholic University, Washington DC and the North American College in Rome culminating in a trip to the Holy Land. He served God and his community for nearly 50 years and felt especially connected to the communities at St. John the Baptist in Ohkay Owingeh and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Santa Fe, Pojoaque, and Albuquerque.

Father John continued to provide friendship, counsel, and guidance through the remainder of his days. And if Father John was a good counsel to many across New Mexico, he was also Tio Cándido to an abundance of nieces and nephews. He was also a beloved grand-uncle and great-great grand uncle. He served as the officiant of many weddings and baptisms and we were grateful for his easy way, his genuine laugh, and his generosity with his time. Father John loved to travel and was especially pleased to have met Pope John Paul II. While serving in Albuquerque he hosted Mardi Gras gatherings for his family and friends. He was always welcoming. 

He was also, of course, a brother, and brother-in-law. He was the remaining of his siblings, the Magnificent Siete, all of whom predeceased him. His siblings were Juan Guadalupe Rodríguez (Lorriane Ditzler Rodríguez), Bertha Rodríguez Martinez (Santiago Martinez), Manuel J. Rodríguez (Jean Gutierrez Rodríguez), Angelina Rodríguez Valdez (Rudolfo Valdez), Flora Rodríguez Russel (R. Dan Russel), and Gerald P. Rodríguez. He is survived by his sister-in-law Kathleen Rodríguez and nieces and nephews: Carmen Rodríguez, Teresa Rodríguez, Carla Rodríguez, Rosa Rodríguez; Ymelda Martinez-Alison, Dolores Martinez, Rita Martinez-Purson; Elena Valdez, Carlos Valdez; Robert Russel, Michael Russel, Christine Gilmore, James Russel, Kathleen Thomson, Elaine Coombe, Marquita Russel, Monica Russel y Rodríguez; and Manuel Rodríguez. He is also survived by many more family and friends.

Father Cándido was blessed to have a sharp mind and precise memory through his last days. He spent considerable time tracing his genealogy and reflected on that history: "Our family that came before us were people of faith and didn't have much at all by the way of material possessions. But I believe they lived their lives being fulfilled and relatively happy because they were sustained by their faith." His happiness was sustained by that very same faith.

We are grateful for the time we had with him. We knew him as a man of great kindness and we will miss him dearly.

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM, will hold a visitation from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. 

A rosary will be recited on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Sacred Heart Church in Española, NM, where the Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at noon. Interment will follow at 2:00 pm at Rosario Cemetery.

The Family of Father John Rodriguez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477