Wenceslao “Charlie” Rodriguez

Wenceslao Charles Rodriguez, age 79, passed away peacefully at his Lower Paxton Township, PA home, surrounded by his family, on January 16, 2024. He was born in Santa Barbara, CA on August 25, 1944, to Guillermo and Benita (Vargas) Rodriguez.

Charlie, as he was affectionately known to his family and friends, was raised in the Santa Barbara and San Jose areas of California. In August 1999, he married the love of his life, Rose, and, shortly thereafter, the two of them moved to Florida to pursue a job opportunity. After living in Florida for five years, Charlie and Rose moved to the Harrisburg area.

He was a retired office furniture logistics manager. He also worked for the Santa Barbara Police Department as an officer. In his free time, Charlie loved to read and watch old western movies and especially enjoyed historical movies and books.

Charlie leaves behind his loving wife, Rose Esther (Martinez) Rodriguez, of Harrisburg, PA, as well as his son, Miguel Rodriguez of Santa Barbara, CA, his stepchildren Deborah and Jay James of Santa Barbara, CA, Norma and Corky Purcell of Hummelstown, PA, and Jeffrey and Kristen Watkins of Harrisburg, PA. He also leaves behind a combined 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. In addition, Charlie is survived by his sisters, Eluteria “Teri” Grijalva of San Jose, CA, and Casimira “Vicki” Reiman of Idaho. He is enjoying a heavenly reunion with his parents Guillermo and Benita, his brother, Guillermo Rodriguez Jr, his sister, Sally Rodriguez, and his stepson, James Watkins.

A funeral service for Charlie was held Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at the Jesse H. Geigle Funeral Home, 2100 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA, with visitation prior to the funeral at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Hummelstown Cemetery, Hummelstown, PA.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.