Rodney Mitchell

Rodney L. Mitchell, son of the late Frank Mitchell and Ola May (Riddick) Mitchell, was born on January 6, 1947 in Waterbury, CT. After a brief illness, he was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at VITAS Inpatient Hospice Care Unit at St. Mary's Hospital. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

Rodney received his education through the Waterbury Public School System. In October 1965, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for a few months before receiving a Honorary Medical Discharge. Following his military service, Rodney began a long and dedicated career with General Motors, where he worked as a machine operator for more than 25 years. Through his years of hard work and dedication, he remained with the company until his retirement.

Rodney had a deep appreciation for life and a true love for traveling and adventure. Following his retirement from General Motors, he enjoyed traveling internationally where he embraced new experiences and the opportunity to explore other cultures. Rodney would travel internationally often and spend months just enjoying the beautiful beaches, learning the language and interacting with the people that he would meet. Throughout his life, he gathered many wonderful memories and stories from his travel and personal experiences, which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends.

One of Rodney’s cherished qualities was his ability to listen. He was a compassionate and thoughtful man who took time to hear others and offer encouragement whenever it was needed. His words of wisdom, engaging stories and genuine interest in the lives of others made him a treasured presence among family and friends. Rodney had a way of making people feel heard, valued and understood.

Above all, Rodney possessed a beautiful spirit of love. He deeply valued his relationships and was always willing to be there for those that needed him. His kindness, generosity, and willingness to encourage others reflected the loving heart that defined his life.

Though Rodney’s earthly journey has come to an end, the memories he created, the stories he shared and the love he gave to his family members will remain forever in the hearts of those he leaves behind. As we reflect on his life, we are reminded that a person’s legacy is not measured only by the years they lived, but also by the lives they touched, the kindness they showed and the love they left behind.

Rodney was a devoted and loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his beloved son, Stacey Mitchell of North Beach, Maryland; Two brothers, Frank Mitchell, Jr. (Cathy) and Richard Mitchell; One sister, Ann Ward (Larry); Two grandchildren, Ahlan and Tariq Mitchell; Three nieces, Janee Spruill (Mahdi), Maya and Kirby Mitchell; One nephew, Darrian Ward; Four great nieces, Kayla and Jasmin Spruill, Shantell Ward and Tatianya Mitchell; One great nephew, Jaden Ward and a host of cousins and friends plus the special three musketeers, Sharon Silva, Paul Beamon and Tracey Trotman.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 11:30am at Colonial Funerals, 270 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT. Visitation will be from 10:30am-11:30am. Services have been entrusted to Colonial Funerals and James R. Sanders, Funeral Director. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.