Miserain Rodriguez Soto

Celebration of the Life of Miserain Rodriguez Soto Miserain Rodriguez Soto was born in Barrio Montaña, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, to Pablo Rodriguez Sosa and Juana Soto Román on Dec 26, 1920, but he always celebrated his birthday on November 22. Miserain was the first son of 10 children (Zoraida, Ricarda, José Ángel, Gloria, Laura, Jorge, Pablito, Placido and Enrique). As a child, he saw the beautiful blue/green warm Caribbean waters and lush green plants and trees that nourished the family. His hands worked with the animals and land. In the tropical heat, Miserain helped his father till and sow the land. He also helped his mother tend to the chickens, pigs, goats and cows that ran around the farm. He drank goat milk, ate the freshly picked eggs and played with the piglets not knowing that they were not pets. Gas lanterns lit the house at night because there was no electricity. Although he excelled in school and loved learning, he was unable to continue his education because the high school was located too far. Miserain always sparkled when he spoke of his loving parents, siblings and the farm, however, he admitted it was a hard life. At the age of 16, Miserain started working in the sugar cane fields of the Arrache family. He attended church and took his brothers. He had a good work ethics that he learned from his father and was man of faith and prayer. In 1939, when the Ramey Air Force Base opened in Aguadilla, Miserain was hired and worked there for eight years until his brother, José Ángel, sent Miserain a letter telling him he had a job waiting for him in New York City. So, on he went to his new adventure. In the 1946, a 22-hour harrowing airplane flight brought Miserain to New York City to begin a new life. His eyes saw the brown and grey tall buildings of the concrete jungle so different from the farm he left behind. Miserain survived the cold winters by dreaming of someday returning back to Puerto Rico. However, his eyes also saw a beautiful, charismatic young woman walking by his tenement window in the Bronx. Miserain met and married Maria (Mary) Cancel and lived in New York for many years where they both were proud graduates of bible school. They had three children, Nelson, Noemi (Cookie) and Noel. Miserain’s hands made him the best “salad man” at Phil Gluckstern’s, the top Jewish restaurant in Manhattan. He also worked as an elevator man, union foreman and later, as a doorman at a luxury building on 89th street near Broadway. He always strived to provide for his family. However, because he and Maria had the biggest hearts, they took care of other family members, friends and strangers who were in need. After living in New York for years, they returned to Puerto Rico where Miserain had his little “finca”, (a small piece of land) where at dawn he would tend to his crops, growing plantains, mangos and vegetables. There was something special about having his hands in the soil and growing food for life. Miserain and Maria never missed a Sunday Church service. They spoke for hours, laughed, watched TV, sang hymns and read the bible. They enjoyed seeing the world through their grand and great grandchildren. They were married for 67 years until Maria passed in 2016. During his wonderful 101 years of life, he experienced many passages and transitions. From the roaring 20’s until now, he saw the technological changes that impacted his life - electricity, lights, refrigerator, radio, television, airplanes and even video phones. He will be remembered as a well-respected man of great faith and prayer. To his family and friends, he will be remembered as a loving, humorous, humble, and a devoted family man. He has gone home to be with the Lord and his wife Maria. He is survived by his children, Nelson, Noemi, Noel; and daughter-in-law, Sara; 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and 3 brothers. We extend our gratitude for joining us in the celebration of Miserain’s extraordinary life and homecoming. God will richly bless each of you for your outpouring of love. Sorrowfully submitted, The Family