Julio Rodriguez

On Saturday April 11th, Julio Amberto Rodriguez unexpectedly passed away in El Salvador. He was sixty-two years old. In all he did, Julio pushed himself. He squeezed every last drop of joy out of a life that he worked so hard to build. He was always eager, always determined, and found it a thrill to match his strength and his will against the challenge of nature’s power.

Julio was born to Maria de Los Angeles Portillo de Rodriguez and Julio Cesar Rodriguez in La Reina, Chalatenango, El Salvador, on April 30th, 1963. He was the youngest of 8 children. An adventurous child, he could often be found working and exploring on his family’s rural farmland or inventing games to play in the river just before its gates. In those formative years, he drew many practical insights about relationships, politics, and business from his older siblings and his parents.

The political climate in El Salvador became dangerous and at a young age Julio came to live in the United States and obtain citizenship. He identified himself as living in the greatest country on earth while expressing tremendous love and respect for that privilege.

He took his first "real" US job in the kitchen at a Howard Johnson’s in Medford, MA. It was there that he met his partner, Brenda, the love of his life in this life and the next. Julio and Brenda’s 32-year marriage was built upon a shared faith in their personal savior, Jesus Christ, and brought together a family of 5 children and 12 beloved grandchildren (so far!).

Serial entrepreneurs, Julio and Brenda owned a Malden landmark, “JB's Breakfast & Lunch” through the 1980’s and 90's and “JR Vending” from the early 2000's. Julio Never missed a day of work and took advantage of every opportunity to share his joy, humor and faith with his patrons, staff, and vendors. Their little breakfast and lunch restaurant became a hub of their family life, serving as a venue for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and almost any occasion worthy of a gathering.

In both his professional and personal life, Julio personified the proverb, “still waters run deep.” He was quietly hardworking, never complaining or boastful, and he always showed up. He always put in more time and more heart than was required. He could be both your biggest fan and harshest critic, a duality born of a deep desire to see those he loved reach their fullest potential. He was competitive yet humble, with a beaming, endurable and contagious smile that made it irresistible to smile back.

When Brenda fell ill, he spent more than a decade fighting for and alongside her as they sought a cure for her crippling ailments. After losing Brenda in 2018, Julio kept the family together. He regularly spent quality time with his children and grandchildren, playing badminton or organizing volleyball games at the field, beach, or on the wallyball court. For him, family knew no bounds. He gave himself unconditionally without a fleeting thought of the cost.

Julio loved life, loved to laugh and loved to play. Whether with kids, adults, or strangers, everyone was welcomed and celebrated for what they brought to the game. Always eager to share his deep faith in the promise of salvation through Jesus, Julio spread the gospel in word and deed alike. Julio left a mark on everyone he touched and those who received that gift counted themselves blessed.

Julio is survived by his children: Jay Wightman, Rachel Mazzarella, Christine Mazzarella, Samantha Gilbert, Julio Thomas Rodriguez, Joseph Paha, Joshua Rodriguez, twelve grandchildren and his loving siblings: Amilcar Rodriguez, Donia Ramirez, Edith Rodriguez and many nieces and nephews and extended family who will forever carry his light.

Visiting Hours will be held in the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Friday, May 8, from 10AM-12 noon, followed by a Funeral Service in the Funeral Home at 12 noon. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Winchester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Julio's memory may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at https://giving.billygraham.org/where-most-needed/