Rev. Ruben Rodriguez-Yejo

The Rev. Ruben Rodriguez-Yejo, age 89, of Wilmington, DE, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Ruben was born on April 1, 1934, in Guayama, Puerto Rico, to father, Luis Rodriguez and mother, Ana, Luisa Yejo Sierra. He was raised in San Juan (La Perla) and on La Calle Caridad in Ponce. Ruben attended Ripon College from 1952 to 1955, graduated with a degree in education from the University of Puerto Rico and a Masters in Theology from The Episcopal Theological Seminary in Puerto Rico. Ruben met his wife, Mary Anne, in Kalamazoo, Michigan and shared 64 years of marriage together until Mary Anne’s passing in 2020. Mary Anne was Ruben’s true love, a pure love that superseded cultural barriers. Ruben served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959 and was stationed at multiple US states throughout his tenure. Ruben would often joke that joining the Air Force was done purely out of love, as it allowed him to come to the United States and start his life with Mary Anne. Ruben and Mary Anne had 3 sons together – Kevin, Ruben, and David – whom they loved dearly and were very proud of. They spent many years on a remote farm in Puerto Rico as Ruben worked to rebuild the ministry in the Episcopal Church of the Reconciliacion. Rebuilding the congregation of the church of the Reconciliacion with his family’s help was one of Ruben’s crowning career achievements. Father Ruben was a devout Servant of the Church and dedicated his life to the priesthood. Ordained to the Priesthood in 1967, Ruben’s efforts primarily focused on creating and building Hispanic ministries in communities that lacked them. He worked with many churches in the Diocese of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania as well as the Diocese of Delaware to achieve this goal. Ruben was deftly skilled at interacting with people and building community. A capable communicator, Ruben embraced the old-school, grassroots mentality of ministry. He loved talking with and praying with members of the community. He had a warm and welcoming demeanor that he would use to help those in need. Ruben could often be found at the bedside of those sick or dying, soothing their distress and providing words of prayer. Ruben combined his many interpersonal skills to serve as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for many years, mainly at Brandywine Counseling, Inc. as their Hispanic Program Project Director. In his later years, Ruben could often be found preparing excellent grilled ribs for his family, sitting on the deck with Mary Anne as the seasons changed, hanging out with their dachshunds, watching Spanish court shows, or playing his favorite card game - “Solitairy” – pronounced only as he could. Ruben (Dad, Pop, Viejo, Gramps) was beloved by his family and will be deeply missed. Ruben is survived by his sons: Kevin Rodriguez (Jann), Ruben J. Rodriguez (Sophia), and David Rodriguez (Angela); grandchildren: Michael (Angelique), Matthew, Hayley, Autumn, Javy, Tony, Jennifer, Marielle, Aden, and Abiel; great-grandchild, Demetri; siblings: Margarita Narvaez (Alfredo), Jenny Rodriguez), and Ana Iris Villamil; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Mary Anne, and his brother Jimmie. Services and burial will be private. To send an online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com

Rev. Ruben Rodriguez-Yejo

April 1, 1934 - October 17, 2023

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