David Rodriguez, 87, of Belford, died Nov. 21, 2021, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. He was born Aug. 9, 1934 in Manhattan, New York. He was the loving husband of Petra (Caraballo) Rodriguez and the son of the late Leocadio and Eduvijes (Colon) Rodriguez.
David was a graduate of Murray Hill High School and worked as a postal worker until he enlisted in the Air Force in March 1953. He worked as an electrical field technician at the Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska, where he served his country bravely during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1957.
Upon his return from Alaska, he became engaged to and married Petra Caraballo Jan. 31, 1959.
In 1969 they relocated to Port Monmouth and then moved to Belford in 1976.
David worked as a machinist for Accurate Bushing Company in Garwood, then worked for Gerdau Ameristell in Sayreville until his retirement in 2007.
Surviving are his son, Dennis Rodriguez of Trier, Germany; his daughter Michelle and husband Christopher McKay; three grandchildren, Christopher Mckay, Sierra McKay and Shayla McKay; and a great-grandchild Aiden McKay.
David was preceded in death by his father Leocadio Rodriguez, mother Eduvijes Colon, his wife Petra Rodriguez, his sister Hilda Diaz and brother Michael Rodriguez.
Visitation was Nov. 27 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
A funeral Mass was offered Nov. 27 at Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown. Entombment followed at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel.
Arrangements are under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the December 2 – 8, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
