Genaro Manuel Mateo Rodriguez

CASA GRANDE - Genaro Manuel Mateo Rodriguez, 47, a Casa Grande firefighter, died on March 13, 2020.

Mr. Rodriguez was born on Jan. 22, 1973, in Bangkok, Thailand, to Hilario Rodriguez and Olivia F. Lopez. Called Nano by his friends, he grew up in Casa Grande and attended Casa Grande Union High School. He worked for Eloy Fire District and Ak-Chin Fire Department and joined the Casa Grande Fire Department full time in 2006.

According to his coworkers, he was known for his outstanding dedication to his hometown, his career and most of all his family. He finished paramedic school in 2007 and was promoted to fire engineer in 2014. He attended hazardous materials technician school in 2007 and was one of the department's first honor guards. He was a member of the Arizona Army National Guard and served two combat tours in Iraq as a combat medic.

He had a strong sense of humor and loved hunting, fishing and anything in the outdoors. He was an avid Muay Thai fighter, winning several championships. He loved his family and friends.

Survivors include his parents, of Casa Grande; six children, Derek Rodriguez of Gilbert, Keano Rodriguez of Casa Grande, Olivia Rodriguez of Gilbert, Angel Antone, Antonio and Mateo Rodriguez, all of Ak-Chin; and a sister, Cristi Rodriguez of Casa Grande.

Graveside service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, in Mountain View Cemetery.

J. Warren Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.