Daniel Rodriguez, a beloved father, grandfather, mentor, and lifelong community advocate, passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 73.

Born on January 5, 1952, in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, to Justa Figueroa, Daniel moved to Philadelphia as a young boy. He attended Timothy Academy and was an active member of Iglesia Evangelica Bautista, where his roots in service and faith began to take hold.

Daniel devoted his life to empowering and uplifting the Latino community in Philadelphia. He taught photography at Central Loyola and Taller Puertorriqueño, sharing his love for visual storytelling with young people. His career then led him to the Hunting Park Community Development Corporation, where he helped local entrepreneurs launch businesses and revitalize neighborhoods. At the Philadelphia Rehab Project, he played a key role in improving housing in underserved communities. 

One of the most impactful chapters of his life was his many years serving as a legislative aide to Councilman Angel Ortiz. In that role, Daniel helped shape and implement a wide range of initiatives—from housing and economic development to education and public safety—that directly improved the lives of countless Philadelphia residents. His deep understanding of community needs, combined with his policy insight and unwavering commitment, left a lasting imprint on the city’s underprivileged neighborhoods.

Later, he served as Housing Director at Norris Square Civic Association, where he worked to expand affordable housing in the heart of the Latino community. He capped off his career with public service on the Board of the Department of Licenses and Inspections, where he advocated for safe, equitable building practices across the city.

Beyond his professional contributions, Daniel was a man of many passions. He had a deep love for salsa and other Puerto Rican music, a talent for urban botany, and a gifted eye for photography—a craft he embraced not just as an art form, but as a way of storytelling and community connection. His passion for cars was the spark that first ignited his interest in building and hands-on problem solving, a drive that would later extend to other areas of his life. He was also a self-taught tech enthusiast who mastered computer hardware and software, building his own systems long before it became commonplace.

Above all, Daniel’s proudest role was as a husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nilda, with whom he shared a life full of love, partnership, and purpose. He is survived by his four sons—Daniel, Mark, Julian, and Andre—and his grandchildren Sincere, Mark, Grace, Jayden, and Julian, all of whom carry forward his spirit, warmth, and integrity.

His legacy lives on in the neighborhoods he helped shape, the people he mentored, and the family who loved him dearly.