If you ask any longtime resident of East Contra Costa County if they know Nick Rodriquez, they’d reply, “Everyone knows Nick!” Sadly, Nick retired peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, Sept. 26 after a short battle with cancer.

He and Carmen, his wife of 53 years, raised seven children along with numerous other children. He is survived by Carmen; sons, Raymond, Michael and his wife Sharon, Nicholas the III and his wife Maria, and Ralph; daughters, Roberta, Roslyn and her wife Angelike, and Rebecca. A grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of 19, Nick is also survived by a brother, Joseph; and sisters, Mary Lou Rodriquez and Lola Luna. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Helen Rodriquez; brother, Robert; and sisters, Tina and Jenny Rodriquez.

Many remember when Nick owned a local service station, working seven days a week. He got to know everyone, and everyone got to know him. He even played Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, going from house to house visiting the children of East Contra Costa County.

In 1971, Nick closed his service station after 20 years, and was ready to begin a new career. For the next 20-plus years, Nick worked for Contra Costa County and was involved in many community activities, started with serving on the Oakley school board, Red Cross Board of Directors, chairing the Office of Economic Opportunity Council, Anti-Poverty Program along with the original board that advocated for funds to build the Delta Community Service Center in Brentwood.

Over the years, Nick continued to work on community issues. At one time he was on as many as 20 committees. He was also part of the Public Environmental Health Advisory Board, and was appointed by the City of Oakley to the Advisory Council on Aging for Contra Costa County. Sharon Johnson, Deputy Director of Aging & Adult Services, says, “Nick has been a tireless advocate for the residents of East Contra Costa County. Everything Nick does, he does with a special flair. He is an asset to our community.”

Nick enjoyed spending time with his family, Giants spring training, gardening, watching cowboy movies, walking the streets of Oakley, working the Brentwood CornFest, bus trips to Reno and making his community equal for everyone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation in Nick’s name to either the Delta Community Services or a local hospice of your choice.