FALMOUTH – Today we mourn the loss of former Falmouth Police Chief, Paulino P. Rodrigues. Chief Rodrigues served the department with distinction for several decades, finally serving as police chief from 1983 until his retirement in 1993. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Rodrigues family. Falmouth Police Department
Former Falmouth Police Chief, Paulino P. Rodriques, “Chief”, 89, of East Falmouth, passed away June 19, 2017.
Chief was born in Wareham, MA on January 24, 1928 to Julio and Marion Rodriques. He grew up in East Falmouth with his grandparents, Manuel and Maria Roderick.
After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1946, he attended Morgan State College where he played college football. Shortly after returning home to help his grandparents with the family farm, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1950 during the Korean war. He was assigned to the 169th Tank Company and stationed at Camp Pickett, Virginia until he was transferred to Germany where he was the commander of his tank company. As the lead tank commander, he named his tank “Ms. Cape Cod” after his beloved crush, Elizabeth (Liz) Monteiro.
Chief started boxing in the Army and continued once he was honorably discharged in 1952. Boxing became a passion for him and he continued fighting until he was the Golden Glove Champion of the New Bedford area.
He courted Elizabeth M. Monteiro until she agreed to marry him on May 23, 1953. A year later in 1954, he started working for the Falmouth Police Department. Over multiple decades, he climbed the ranks from patrol officer to Sergeant, Captain, Commander and finally Chief. He led the police department from 1984 until he retired in 1993.
He was a long time member of the Falmouth Rotary Club, Cape Verdean Club and the Pocasset Country Club. He was an active member of the St. Anthony’s Church and a recipient of the Marian Medal Award.
Chief was known to many because of his infectious smile, kindness, and loyalty, but to his family he was known for being the pillar of strength through good times and bad.
He is survived by his long-time love and wife, Elizabeth, whom he just celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary. His daughter, Cynthia M. Rodriques and son, Rocky Rodriques both of East Falmouth. His granddaughters; Renee E. Khan, her husband, Alex, and children Chace and Ava. Nichole A. Cahoon, her significant other, Tawan J. Matthews and children Isaac and Tawan, Jr. Vanessa L. Rodriques and son, Emmett. Chief was predeceased by his older siblings; brothers, Manny and Julio, and sister, Pauline all from Wareham.
Viewing hours will be from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2017 at Chapman, Cole and Gleason, 475 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at St. Anthony’s Church, 167 E. Falmouth Hwy. (Route 28), East Falmouth, MA 02536. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Anthony’s Church, 167 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536.
