Julian Peter Rodriguez

Affectionately called Dad and Papa, Julian Peter Rodriguez, 95, passed away on May 19, 2025, at his home in Harbor City, CA. Born on May 13, 1930, in Long Beach, CA, his family relocated to Wilmington where he attended his beloved Banning High School, played for the football team and graduated in 1948. The year after graduation, Julian worked for the Pacific Maritime Association as a longshoreman from 1949 until early 1951 before being drafted by the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War in 1951 and '52, serving as a medic. Post war, he briefly worked at the local cannery before he started work for the U.S. Government by joining the Wilmington post office where he spent over 40 years as a mail carrier at a time before the post office had jeeps for the carriers. He didn't hesitate to say he walked 10 miles every day to deliver mail. He was a proud member of the Wilmington VFW where he performed as part of the Color Guard for funerals of deceased veterans. His passion was being involved in his high school alma mater booster club, attending every game whether home or away even at the age of 94 with his cane on cold Friday nights during Winter and could be seen selling raffle tickets at half-time to raise money for the Banning football team. He worked closely with the coaches and faculty in whatever capacity he was needed for the benefit of the program. Julian enjoyed spending time with family, going on turn around day trips on the bus to casinos with his friends to play the slots, watching high school and college football on TV, and good food. He is survived by his wife Cecile, son Michael, daughter-in-law Eirreen, granddaughter Nikolle and her children Jayden, Kairo and Ivy, sister Helen Cruz, brother John Rodriguez and many nieces and nephews. He will be forever missed.