Carlos Rodriguez, age 65, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away on May 30, 2025, surrounded by the family he loved fiercely. A truly spectacular man, Carlos lived as he died—one of a kind, entirely rare, and impossible to forget.

Born on October 31, 1959, in Havana, Cuba, Carlos was the eldest child of Antonio Rodriguez and Matilda Polanco. As a young boy, he boarded a plane to the United States with only a suitcase and a hope for the future. He embodied the American Dream—educating himself, building a successful life, and working tirelessly to provide not just for his children, but for the future of his grandchildren as well.

Carlos earned a degree from Columbia University and a postgraduate degree from Polytechnic University. A firm believer in lifelong learning, he continued taking classes and earning certifications until his health no longer allowed it. He instilled this love of knowledge—and the belief that hard work and dedication were the keys to success—in his family.

He also passed down a few other essentials: an undying love of classic rock, a deep appreciation for delicious rum, a passion for Dungeons & Dragons and every flavor of sci-fi (Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar—you name it), as well as a philosophy that food is love. Known to many as "Don Lechon," Carlos took particular joy in all thing's pork-related, both in the kitchen and on the grill.

Professionally, Carlos was a pillar at Bell Labs and AT&T, where he worked for 43 years. A true mathematician, elegant problem solver, and proud nerd, he often joked that when he finally retired, he'd become a CPA or hand out unsolicited dad advice at the local hardware store. In retirement, he discovered a love of international travel with his wife, Margarita. He especially loved Spain and rarely missed the chance to enjoy Disney World with his family each year.

Carlos was known above all else for his sense of humor. He always had a witty comeback, a pun at the ready, or a groan-worthy dad joke just waiting to be deployed. No one was off-limits—including himself. Even at his sickest, he showed up to every surgical appointment wearing his favorite Monty Python shirt that read, "It's only a flesh wound!" It was his way—finding the light, even in the darkest of times.

Carlos is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margarita, his daughter Melanie, son-in-law Paul Tilghman, and two grandchildren, Audrey and Henry. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, John Rodriguez, and his parents, Antonio Rodriguez, Angela Rodriguez and Matilda Polanco.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, with the hope that other families will have more time in the face of these rare and aggressive cancers, and more time for dad jokes.

As a final parting gift, we'd like to share the last dad joke he texted the family group chat:
"What if soy milk is just regular milk introducing itself in Spanish?"

Classic Carlos.