Jose M. Rodriguez M.D.

WATERVILLE – Jose M. Rodriguez, M.D. passed away peacefully in Waterville on Jan. 4, 2024 in his one hundredth year. He was born on Oct. 24, 1924 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the son of Eudoro and Isabel Rodriguez, the youngest of five brothers each of whom became a physician.

He grew up in Buenos Aires and in the family country house in Rio Cuarto, Argentina. Before attending medical school, he received the prestigious gold medal given to the highest baccalaureate in his college class. He went on to attend medical school at the University of Cordoba in Argentina, graduating with highest distinction in 1947. Upon graduation, he was offered a fellowship in neurosurgery at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. and completed both his internship and residency in 1951. In 1953, he married the former Elizabeth Theresa Doychak.

In 1962, he and his family relocated to Maine where he had been offered a position at the Veteran’s Hospital in Togus. Later, he established a neurosurgery practice in Waterville, where he performed microsurgery at the Sister’s Hospital on Gilman Street in Waterville. Later, after the construction of Thayer Hospital and Seton Hospital, he became the Chief of Neurosurgery at Mid-Maine Medical Center in Waterville where he practiced until his retirement in 1990. In 1972, he was elected to the Faculty of the American College of Surgeons. He was a founder of the Colby College summer neurosurgery program which attracted many of the most significant neurosurgeons throughout the world for decades. He also conducted a weekly spinal clinic at Redington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan. He was a member of the American Medical Association and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

While in Waterville, he was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church and Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours as well as a longtime supporter of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. A lifelong golfer, he was also an enthusiastic member of the Waterville Country Club.

After his retirement, he and his wife split their time between Maine, the Bahamas and Florida where he indulged his love for golf, swimming and dancing the tango.

He is survived by his daughter, Alicia Benson, son-in-law, Judge Andrew Benson, both of Unity, and granddaughter Eunjae Benson of Boston, Mass

He was predeceased by Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 68 years in 2021.

Dr. Rodriguez’s daughter and family wish to extend their particular thanks to Mary Girard of Pittsfield for her devoted care and assistance to him.

A funeral mass will be celebrated in the spring.