Obituary of James P. Rodrigues

James P. Rodrigues, age 69, of Deep River passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at his residence. He was the beloved husband of Maurine (Sturken) Rodrigues. He was born in New Haven on March 27th, 1946 the son of Manuel and Frankie (Howell) Rodrigues. Jim grew up in New Haven and was a graduate of the Eli Whitney High School, class of 1965. Following graduation he entered the United States Army and had a twenty-nine year career in service to his country. Along with his service during the Vietnam War he proudly served actively during Desert Storm. Jim worked in sales for many years specializing in the sales of military connectors, he retired in 2006. He was a Corvette enthusiast, and a member of the Connecticut Military Corvette Club and the Corvette Club of Connecticut. He also was an avid deer hunter and member of the NRA. Jim also was a certified handgun instructor and member of the North Madison Rod and Gun Club for many years. Besides his wife Maurine, he is survived by his daughters, Tina Sutton of Deep River and Michele Marquis and her husband Eugene of Old Saybrook, stepsons John Gieras and his wife Angela of Kansas City, Kansas, Gregg Gieras and his wife Jessica of Berlin, his three grandchildren, Natasha Best, Tanner Sutton and Felicia Sutton, and five step-granddaughters. He also leaves his sister Barbara Tonucci of Orange. Visitation will be held at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook, on Friday, September 18th, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A graveside service with the rendering of Full Military Honors will be conducted on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the State Veteran's Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane in Middletown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jim's name may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to Dogs Days Adoption Events, Inc. 48 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. To share a memory of Jim or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.