Long-time business owner and Bridgeport resident, Jehu Roman Rodriguez, Sr., 77, passed away July 6, 2015 after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer. Born in Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Gilberto and Adelina Roman Rodriguez. He leaves his wife, Iris Rivera Rodriguez, 6 children, Julie Rodriguez of AK, Brenda Lajara of Wallingford, CT, Jay Rodriguez Jr. of Easton, CT, Darlene Rodriguez of Manchester, CT, and Keshia Rivera and Danielle Cade, both of Ohio. In addition to his wife and children, he leaves 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, and his first wife, Joyce Rodriguez Kenny of Bridgeport, CT. He was predeceased by one grandchild. Originally one of 14 children himself, Jehu also leaves his surviving siblings, Liduvina Vasquez, Phillipe, Ruth, Ester and Ysabel Rodriguez and Mylca LaJara all of Puerto Rico, and Elias Rodriguez of TX. A pillar of the Bridgeport community through his involvement in and ownership of The Merritt Canteen restaurant, "Yahoo," as he was affectionately called by so many, eventually retired from the business after nearly 50 years, having worked there since the 1960s, and an owner from 1980-2001, leaving his son, Jay Rodriguez Jr., to continue running it in the established tradition. Jehu spent his well-deserved retirement traveling, swimming, shooting pool and jet skiing well into his 70s, and enjoying his home by the sea in his native Puerto Rico until the need for medical treatment required him to return to the States. Besides his dedication to his business, Jehu was devoted to his children and his faith. His lifelong and unshakeable beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness helped to ease his passing and comfort him in his last days on this earth. In addition to those core facets of his personality, he was a classic car buff having completely restored a '58 Cadillac Deville convertible and a '67 Pontiac Firebird convertible. He was self-taught and well-read on many subjects, and though he was against all war, he was especially interested in and knowledgeable of military protocol. He was an accomplished ballroom and salsa dancer, and he extolled the virtues of daily exercise in keeping him healthy and fit for as long as possible. Yahoo was a colorful figure and a central character in the Bridgeport community starting all the way back when he arrived in the States without an education and knowing no English. He truly lived the American dream, building his own home for his family to grow up in, learning the language and earning his GED in night school, and working so hard his bosses couldn't help but notice and reward him. He was known far and wide and loved most especially by his customers who would line up to experience his bone-crushing handshake and who have continued to come into the Canteen and ask about him years after his daily involvement in the business ended. Religious services will be held in Ohio, and services for immediate family will be held in afterward in Puerto Rico, after which his ashes will be scattered in the sea he so loved off the coast of his homeland. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com