Juan Leonardo Rodriguez

Juan Leonardo Rodriguez: Rock Star, Grill Boss, and Certified Jokester for Eternity
Born November 5, 1972, in Chihuahua, Mexico, and joined the eternal rhythm of the universe on June 26, 2025, in Santa Fe, Juan Rodriguez lived a life that was louder than a Metallica solo and warmer than the coals of his weekend barbecues.
Juan was more than a manager at John Brooks in Eldorado for over 10 years—he ran that place like a backstage tour: precision, heart, and just enough mischief to keep things spicy. Whether keeping the store humming or tossing out a one-liner that made you snort-laugh in aisle 3, he brought soul to the everyday.
Beyond work, Juan was a poetic powerhouse—literally. One of his poems was published in the book Collected Whispers. But let's be real, Juan didn’t whisper much. His words, like his personality, had punch. His poems will live on… probably next to a copy of Slayer’s Greatest Hits.
Survivors of Juan’s whirlwind of love include his amazing kids, Juanito Sena-Rodriguez and Ariana Sena Rodriguez; their mother and best friend, Virginia Sena & his rock-steady partner, CC Bastien & her children Calloway, William, Donna, Walter, and Estelle, his parents, Charles and Manuela Rodriguez; and his siblings, Blanca Jones, Charles Rodriguez & spouse Rubi Rodriguez, Christopher Rodriguez & spouse Christy Johnson, a band of misfits of nieces and nephews, Deandra, Felicia, Estrella, Leah, Junior, Maria, Antonio, AJ, Anthony(Tony), Desiree and close family members Pancho, Manuel, Martina, Antoinette, Mary and Rose and numerous family & friends—who all knew he was the funniest guy in the room, whether or not he had a mic.
He's now backstage with family and friends who passed before him—probably tuning his celestial drums and organizing a heavenly jam session with his grandparents Charles and Gerldine Rodriguez and Uncles Robert and Ronald Rodriguez, Franciso, Uncle Percy, Aunt Liz, Uncle David Slade(Rockin-Bocker) and step-son Thomas Bastien.
He drummed for a metal band in Germany in his youth (yep, real sticks and snares) and lived like he played—loud, heartfelt, and with killer timing. He didn’t walk into a room; he entered with rhythm. If life had a soundtrack, Juan was laying down the beat, and everyone else was trying to keep up.
His home was his fortress of fun: loaded grills, blooming gardens, a playlist that could go from Ozzy to Too Short in a heartbeat, and laughter echoing from the kitchen to the porch. He raised his kids with humor, compassion, and the occasional “Zanzabar!”—his trademark way of keeping things clean-ish.

If there’s one thing Juan taught us, it’s that life’s too short not to laugh, love hard, and maybe crank the volume just a little too high.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 1 to 3 PM at Rivera Family Funeral & Cremations of Santa Fe (417 East Rodeo Rd) with reception to follow at 4001 Office Court Drive Suite 504, Santa Fe, NM 87507.