RODRIGUES, Orlando William– He was born in 1933 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Portuguese immigrant parents. He moved to California in 1946 and attended San Jose Tech High School, with an emphasis in plumbing, where he was graduated in 1951. Shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at several locations in the South. He completed his tour of duty in 1953 and left as a sergeant.After returning to California, he subsequently decided that plumbing was not for him. He got a job with the Ford Motor Co. plant in Milpitas, where he worked for seven years. After deciding to take the firefighters exam, he joined the City of San Jose Fire Department, where he retired after 27 years of service as a fire engineer.He was involved in the Luso-American Fraternal Federation-acting as 20-30 president from 1972 to 1973 and as state president from 1979 to 1980. In the years following his retirement, he enjoyed traveling and was an avid golfer.He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Jean; his sister Hazel Sowa of New Bedford, Massachusetts; his son Gregory and daughters Cynthia, Diana, Kathleen, Valerie and Elena; and his 13 grandchildren.Visitation Wednesday, February 20, 2002 will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Teresa Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 7:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather Thursday, February 21, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the MISSION CHAPEL OF SAN JOSE RANCADORE & ALAMEDA FUNERAL HOME, 600 S. 2nd St., San Jose and accompany the family to Los Gatos Memorial Park for a 11:00 a.m. committal service.
