(Photo via Caul’s Funeral Home)
A man who made a profound impact on the province, ranging from dentistry and health care to the business and municipal scene, passed away last week at the age of 82.
Dr. Hilary Rodrigues, born in Tanzania and educated in London, set up a dental practice in Whitbourne in the early 1970s. He later expanded the business to include a pharmacy.
He and his wife, Marie-France, saw potential in the province’s abundant wild berries and established Newfoundland and Labrador’s very first winery in 1993. Rodrigues Winery, established in the old Markland Cottage Hospital, became a popular tourist destination. His wines were shipped all over the world, and he even developed a line of certified Kosher wines.
Rodrigues served as mayor of the town of Whitbourne, chaired the regional Community Futures organization for a period, and was passionate about the development of nutraceuticals, exploring the potential health benefits of sea buckthorn in particular.
A stroke in 2020 halted his dental practice, but he continued to volunteer, offering his skills to help people at The Gathering Place access dental care.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. this Tuesday at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Whitbourne. Donations in his memory are being accepted for the St. Alphonsus Cemetery Fund.