Robert “Rusty” Roderick, 71, of Buzzards Bay, passed away on April 12 in Wareham, after a brief but intense battle with cancer. Rusty was born on Nov. 22, 1946, in Wareham, he was the son of the late Dorothy Burgo Roderick and Cesar Gomes.

Rusty attended Wareham Public Schools until ninth grade and later received his GED through Bristol Community College. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. Following his military service, he lived and worked in New Bedford and Fall River primarily as a security guard for the Pinkerton Security Company.

An enthusiastic collector of music particularly from the doo-wop and Motown eras of the 1950s and 1960s, Rusty also liked jazz. Those who knew him will always remember him as an avid storyteller with a good sense of humor.

He is survived by his sisters: Anicetra Souza Branion of Wareham; Wandra (Roderick) Harmsen and her husband Jack of Buzzards Bay; two nephews: Amando Branion and Rory Branion and two nieces: Nadia Harmsen and Debora Harmsen.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend his funeral service on a Tuesday, April 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Wareham Village Funeral Home, 5 Center St., Wareham. Visitation with the family will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Centre Cemetery, Tihonet Road, Wareham.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be sent to: Oak Grove Cape Verdean Cultural Center, Inc., P.O. Box 1100, Onset, MA 02558.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com.