Ulises H. Rodriguez

Waltham – Mr. Ulises H. Rodriguez died peacefully in his home on Sunday, August 15, 2021 with his family by his side. He was 88.

Ulises was born in Carmelo, Uruguay in 1933, the son of the late Santiago and Rosaura (Ramirez) Rodriguez. At the age of 10 his family moved to Banfield, Argentina where he attended school and began working to help provide for his family. It was in Argentina where he met Josefa Massari. After a 10-year courtship the couple married on April 21, 1963 in Lomas de Zamora. Shortly after welcoming their daughter and son, the family moved to West Newton in 1969 where they resided until 1981 when they moved to Waltham. He had worked as a machine operator for many years at the Standard Thompson Company and with his entrepreneurial spirit he had operated his own restaurant for a number of years.

Ulises will be remembered for his quiet strength and kind and compassionate manner. He was a man deeply devoted to his family and was a loyal friend to many. He was able to find the humor in any situation, was a fantastic storyteller, and loved listening to tango; he and Josefa enjoyed dancing together each Sunday. He also had a passion for soccer and was an avid fan of Club Atlético River Plate. He lived for family gatherings and was always behind the grill making his authentic Argentinian barbecue 'asado'.

He was the beloved husband of the late Josefa (Massari) Rodriguez who died in 2008 and is survived by his children, Mirta Cuna (Arnold Cyr) of Waltham and Oscar Rodriguez (Diana) of Billerica; his grandchildren, Christopher Cuna (Sarah Oliva), Victoria Rodriguez, Alexandra Rodriguez and twins Anthony Rodriguez and Thomas Rodriguez.

He was also the brother of the late Edgardo Rodriguez and Evelina Justina Spada (late Francisco Spada) and son-in-law of the late Pedro and Juana Massari.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ulises' life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, August 18th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Thursday morning when his Funeral Service will be held at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701.