Samuel “Sam” Augusto Rodriguez, Sr.

February 11, 1947 - October 18, 2017

02/11/1947 - 10/18/2017

Past Services

Visitation
Friday October 27, 2017
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Altmeyer Funeral Home – Denbigh Chapel
12893 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23608
(757) 874-4200 | Directions
Cemetery
Friday October 27, 2017
1:00 pm
Albert G. Horton Memorial Veteran Cemetery
5310 Milners Rd.
Suffolk, VA 23434
757-255-7217 | Directions
Visitation

Samuel A. Rodriguez, Sr. of Newport News, met his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the age of 70. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on February 11, 1947 to Luis Rodriguez and Jenny (Jennie) Hernandez Rodriguez and was raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Sam served as a heavy vehicle driver in the U.S. Army for 2 years, stationed at Ft. Eustis and received an Honorable Discharge with a National Defense Service medal and Sharpshooter Badge (M-14 rifle). He attended 2 years of college at Thomas Nelson Community College and retired from Dominion Virginia Power, after 17 years as a Power Plant Operator.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Rodriguez.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 24 years, Phyllis and his close friend and caregiver, Linda Shaw. He is also survived by his children, Denise Rodriguez Vereen, Samuel A. Rodriguez, Jr., Dina Rodriguez, Roxanna Rodriguez and James Lang; his grandchildren, Stephen A. Rivas and Grace and Olivia Lang; his great-grandchild, Nyla A. Rivas; sisters, Maria Perez and Nilda Hollkamp; brothers, Jose, Luis and Orlando Rodriguez and many other relatives and friends because Sam never knew a stranger.
A Celebration of his Life will be conducted Friday, October 27, 2017 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Altmeyer Funeral Home-Denbigh Chapel, 12893 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, 23608 followed by interment at 1 p.m. in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. A reception will follow at the home of James and Melissa Lang.

Subscribe
Notify of
9 Condolences
Inline Feedbacks
View all condolences
LeeAnna Harrah-Wexler
6 years ago

Meeting uncle Sam a few years ago at his niece Alissa’s house, Sam and I immediately became family. His humor brought us together in conversation which he also favored my dad and after that? I was proud to call him Tio Sam. Sam accepted and was good to all and Tio Sam will have a status I’ll never forget and will live on. Much love to Tio Sam and all of his family and friends.

B. Joyce Schuh
6 years ago

Sam, You are and always will be a special friend. I know you’re riding off in the sunset in your trusty truck not having to deal with any pain & suffering. God Bless you!

Irenr Torres
6 years ago

I will miss you very much Uncle Sammy. All the times you would make us laugh. the walks we would take by the water in Yorktown. I loved the boat rides at night, the long rides to visit mom. I will never ever forget You I LOVE YOU !!!

Melissa Lang
6 years ago

I will always remember Sam playing and telling jokes with all of us. Him sitting on the patio with James drinking VO and coke, and laughing and carrying on. YOU WILL BE MISSED! But we all know you are just sitting now with God and your Mom, Dad and brother joking and carrying on up in heaven. Much love and respect.

Love,
Melissa, James, Grace and Olivia Lang

Claudine Campbell
6 years ago

I’m so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Phyllis. Please know that I’ll be praying for you and your family. One love…

Rachel Littlejohn
6 years ago

Uncle Sammy I love you. When I see you again in heaven I promise to pull your finger.

Sue Claar
6 years ago

He loved his prime rib, gonna miss you buddy

Denise Rodriguez-Vereen
6 years ago

To the first man that I ever loved… Daddy.
Daddy since the time I could remember you’ve been in my life for so long, during that time I’ll always have fond memories of you. Weekends at Newport News Park feeding the ducks, fishing, playing on the swings and you pushing us on the merry go round… that was my favorite. How about the time at the go karts when I pushed that guy off the track into the muddy grass… we laughed so hard at that moment our stomachs were hurting. I’ll always remember our time here in Virginia as children… going out for ice cream or seeing a movie at the theater, you finding $100 at the mall in front of the Barney machine, we went and got ice cream that day too. How about when that couple fell off the canoe in front of us at Newport New Park. We cracked up so hard we needed to leave so they wouldn’t see us laughing with tears in our eyes, that was a funny moment. We couldn’t help ourselves from laughing. Riding bikes in Newport News Park on the trails. Newport News Park was our spot… your spot, Daddy. I think you marked your territory with that park.
Overall, you’ll be sorely missed by all those that love you. I know you’ll rest in peace… you were always such a peaceful soul to me. When I needed to talk to you about something I knew I could always call you and you would listen and give me advice without judgement. I’ll miss talking to you and hearing your voice, your laughter, your jokes, those killer dry jokes… but they made me laugh. For the great memories you gave us I’ll never forget you daddy. Thank you for being in my life, I have such fond cherished memories of you as my father, my friend, my go to person… my daddy.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories too many to write. So long and love you always.

Sharon Morgan-Jones-Altmeyer-Denbigh Chapel
6 years ago

My condolences to Phyllis and family during this most difficult time.