Almost three years ago I began searching for one of our own after getting a really bad feeling.
I began trying to locate my cousin, Juan (John) Rodriguez, to us “Junito el de Mama”.
On January 28, 2023, my search ended as I finally found him, unfortunately, John had passed. John died on April 10, 2020, while a patient at Bronx Garden Rehab and Nursing Center. He had been in the hospital due to a fall which damaged his leg and he required surgery. Shortly after, he was sent to Bronx Garden Rehab and Nursing Center for his recovery and physical therapy. This happened at the beginning of the pandemic. I don’t believe the nursing home ever contacted anyone of his passing, nor did any of us know what hospital or nursing home he was in.
John was the oldest son of Juan Rodriguez, deceased and Hilda Rodriguez; however, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Adelina Rodriguez. John has seven (7) siblings, brothers, Ivan, Henry and Orlando and sisters, Hilda, Evelyn, Ivette and Sandra. John always considered his cousin, Luis, his brother as they grew up together in their grandmother’s care. John also has two adopted brothers, Carlos and Armando and one half-sister, Dolly.
John is the father of three children, sons, John, Joaquin and daughter, Adelina. John lost contact with his children for many years when his ex-wife moved to Florida. He finally found and connected with them around 2017. He also has several grandchildren.
John’s partner of over 30 years was Magalia Reyes, who was also confined to a different nursing home in March 2020 while recouping from surgery and she also passed, five days after John. The nursing home might have tried to contact her as his next of kin, but doubt that she got the news since it appears she might have been fighting for her life at the same time. Don’t believe any of her family was ever contacted by the nursing home she was in. Her daughter-in –law, Sheila, has been searching for her as well. I shared what I found with her.
So it appears my cousin ended up in Hart Island. I find it heartbreaking that he was alone, without his family when he passed and then when he was buried. I have gratitude for the health care professionals that were with him at the end and also those who took part in his burial. Thank you for being there. John had a hard life but was a kind soul. He was a loving and caring man and had found love with his dear Migdalia. Sadly she passed five days after him without knowing he was gone. They both died from Covid while in nursing homes recovering from surgery, and it has taken almost three years to find them. John, I found you, now Rest in Peace.
