IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Arturo Melendez
Rodriguez
September 1, 1934 – September 14, 2014
Obituary
Waterbury – Mr. Arturo Melendez-Rodriguez, 80, of Waterbury passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2014 at the State of Connecticut Veterans Hospital in West Haven. He was the loving husband to Mrs. Amparo Melendez to whom he married on April 9, 1955.
Arturo was born on September 1, 1934 in La Romana, Dominican Republic, son of the late Ulises and Juana (Rodriguez) Melendez. Arturo grew up in Puerto Rico where he was a standout baseball player. He played AAA baseball and was later inducted into the Puerto Rican Baseball Hall of Fame. One of his most memorable and proudest baseball moments was the time he shared the field with Roberto Clemente.
Later in life Arturo moved to the United States and served honorably in the U.S. Army, during the Korean War. He was an avid fisherman, a longtime Pittsburg Pirates and New York Yankees fan, enjoyed umpiring in local softball leagues and was a member of the American Legion.
Besides his wife of 60 years, Arturo is survived by his two daughters, Alma R. Ramos and her husband, Mariano Ramos, and Norma E. Caban and her husband, Manuel Caban; eight grandchildren, Steven Valentin, Jenedith Valentin, Alfredito Valentin, Jeiel Valentin, Gloria E. Caban, Manuel Caban Jr., Sabriel Caban and Amaris Cruz; six great-grandchildren, Janeidy M.Villar, Trinity L Valentin, Taliauis A Rodriguez, Jaylyn Valentin, Janiyah S. Caban, and Phelian Valentin; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Luis A. Melendez; and grandchild, Joel Valentin.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart-Sagrado Corazon Church, 13 Woodtick Rd., Waterbury. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Thursday, September 18 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 E. Main St., Waterbury.
Arturo was born on September 1, 1934 in La Romana, Dominican Republic, son of the late Ulises and Juana (Rodriguez) Melendez. Arturo grew up in Puerto Rico where he was a standout baseball player. He played AAA baseball and was later inducted into the Puerto Rican Baseball Hall of Fame. One of his most memorable and proudest baseball moments was the time he shared the field with Roberto Clemente.
Later in life Arturo moved to the United States and served honorably in the U.S. Army, during the Korean War. He was an avid fisherman, a longtime Pittsburg Pirates and New York Yankees fan, enjoyed umpiring in local softball leagues and was a member of the American Legion.
Besides his wife of 60 years, Arturo is survived by his two daughters, Alma R. Ramos and her husband, Mariano Ramos, and Norma E. Caban and her husband, Manuel Caban; eight grandchildren, Steven Valentin, Jenedith Valentin, Alfredito Valentin, Jeiel Valentin, Gloria E. Caban, Manuel Caban Jr., Sabriel Caban and Amaris Cruz; six great-grandchildren, Janeidy M.Villar, Trinity L Valentin, Taliauis A Rodriguez, Jaylyn Valentin, Janiyah S. Caban, and Phelian Valentin; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Luis A. Melendez; and grandchild, Joel Valentin.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart-Sagrado Corazon Church, 13 Woodtick Rd., Waterbury. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Thursday, September 18 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 E. Main St., Waterbury.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mr Arturo Melendez Rodriguez, please visit our flower store.
Services
Service
September
19
Sacred Heart Sagrado Corazon Church
Starts at 1:00 pm