Birth date: Jul 18, 1931 Death date: Feb 20, 2026
Ramon Rodriguez, 94, of Los Palacios, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, passed peacefully in Tampa, Fl on February 20, 2025. He was born on July 18, 1931, in Cuba to Gregorio and Juana Maria Rodriguez. At the age of 18 he joined the Cuban Air Read Obituary
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my dear friend, Ramon Rodriguez.
I first met Ramon when I was the branch manager for Hertz in Largo, where Ramon worked as a driver. From the very beginning, we hit it off and quickly became close friends. Ramon had an incredible warmth about him, a bright light with a kind soul and we shared great conversations and countless laughs over the years.
One of my favorite memories of Ramon was the unforgettable lunches his wife, Hilda, would pack for him each day. These were no ordinary lunches; they were multi-course feasts that clearly showed the love she had for her husband. We often laughed as Ramon would pull out what looked like a full table setting sometimes even a tablecloth and silverware, to enjoy what we joked were his “Michelin-star meals” right there at work.
Ramon also knew that I was a cigar enthusiast. Whenever he traveled back to Cuba, he made it a point to smuggle me Cuban cigars. It was a thoughtful and generous gesture that meant a great deal to me. That was Ramon, always thinking of others.
As my career progressed and I left Largo to become the Tampa Bay area manager based in Clearwater, our daily interactions became less frequent. But every so often, while I was sitting at my desk working, I would hear a quiet knock at the door. Standing there would be Ramon. Even though I was no longer his direct manager, he would stop by after returning from Cuba, once again with cigars in hand, never forgetting me.
Today, I host cigar nights at my home in Norfolk, and the gentlemen in my cigar club have all heard the stories of Ramon and the impact he had on my life. His kindness, generosity, and friendship live on through those stories and memories.
My thoughts and prayers are with Hilda, along with his family and friends who knew and loved him. Ramon, you were a great man and will be truly missed. Rest in peace, my friend.
Rest in peace, my dear friend, we will miss you so much! 😢
Eliseu Lage & family
