Obituaries

Therese ‘Terry’ Pounds (Joiner): 1927-2024

Therese “Terry” Pounds (Joiner), 97, of Montclair, NJ died peacefully surrounded by family at Mountainside Hospital on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, Terry was born a ‘survivor,’ having lost her mother who died soon after her birth in 1927 in New York City. She subsequently lived all over the world as a self-described “army brat” after her father, Colonel Talley Dosier Joiner, remarried and reclaimed “his little Therese” from her aunts who raised her until she was six. After graduating from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ, Terry briefly attended college at Trinity, DC, then decided to go to Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in NJ. The skills she learned there served her well at her first secretarial jobs in Manhattan, then later at Montclair Kimberly Academy in Montclair where she worked for almost twenty years in the Office of External Affairs. She was proud of her mastery of the rules of English grammar, and many relied on her to proofread their letters. After the death of her husband in 1978, Terry set up a Montclair chapter of THEOS, a nationwide non-denominational support group for widowed men and women. She ran the group for approximately ten years and created friendships from that work that lasted until her death. She was also involved with the Friends of Barnet and the Montclair Fine Arts Festival.

Terry was predeceased in death by her husband, Donald Pounds, her son Richard, her beloved companions, Arthur Jones and Fred Berinato, and her sisters Lucy and Claire. She is survived by her son Donald Pounds and his companion Patrice Holtzer, daughter Mary Pounds Sisler, daughter-in-law Bette Pounds, sons James Pounds (Bethany) and Thomas Pounds (Liljana), daughter Virginia Pounds, sons Michael Pounds (Catherine) and John Pounds. She was the proud grandmother of sixteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Katy, Austin, Colleen, Connor, Jordan, Jason, Jeremy, Natalie, Anika, Evan, Noah, Ben, Eli, Max, Harper and Nolan; Scarlett, Emma, Carson, Peyton and Wesley. She is also survived by a large extended family and countless friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 30 N. Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042, followed by interment of ashes at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Upper Montclair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s name to The Release Recovery Foundation at: https://donate.hakuapp.com/donations/new?fundraising_effort=in-loving-memory-of-therese-terry-pounds.

Micheal T. Rodriguez

01/03/1969 - 09/24/2024

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Obituary For Micheal T. Rodriguez

Micheal Thomas Rodriguez, born January 3, 1969, in Defiance, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2024. He was 55 years old.

Micheal was a devoted father to his three beloved children: Autumn, Summer, and Carter. His love for them was the foundation of his life, and they were his greatest pride and joy. Micheal was the treasured son of Gina (Barbara) and her late husband Pedro Villa Rodriguez, and a loving brother to Jeffrey (Dale Lehmann) and Roberto (Stephanie). Micheal was also the cherished uncle of Maya (Justin), Mateo, and Pedro. Beyond his immediate family, Micheal had countless loved ones who cherished him—he was a cousin, nephew, uncle, and a dear friend to many. He is preceded in death by his father, Pedro, with whom he will be laid to rest.

A proud graduate of Rossford High School, Class of 1987, Micheal carried his Bulldog spirit with him throughout his life. He was known for his remarkable generosity, strong work ethic, and his deep love for family, friends, and community. A skilled journeyman electrician, Micheal worked for General Motors for 28 years, where he was a dedicated member of the United Auto Workers union, always advocating for the rights and well-being of his fellow workers.

Micheal’s love for the arts was evident through his passion for music and theater. He performed on stages throughout Northwest Ohio, where his powerful voice and presence left a lasting impression on audiences. His love for music extended beyond the stage—he was a gifted singer and a devoted fan of artists like Elvis, U2, R.E.M., and Frank Sinatra. Karaoke nights with friends were a regular joy in his life, where his voice was always a highlight.

An incredible cook, Micheal was known especially for his tamales and signature steaks, which were beloved by all who had the pleasure of tasting them. He took great pride in preparing meals for family and friends, turning every gathering into a celebration of good food and togetherness.

Micheal was an active member of the Rossford Fraternal Order of Eagles #2322, where he served as Trustee and contributed to the community he cared so much about. His commitment to family and friends, his passion for the causes he believed in, and his love for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami Dolphins were defining parts of his life.

As Elvis once sang, “If I can dream of a better land, where all my brothers walk hand in hand,” Micheal believed in a world where family, friends, and community came first—always working toward making that dream a reality in his own way.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Micheal’s life at Walker Sujkowski Funeral Home in Rossford on Sunday, September 29, from 1-5 pm. Fraternal Order of Eagles Service will be held at 4 pm. Funeral services will be held at Walker Sujkowski on Monday, September 30, at 1 pm, followed by burial at Restlawn Memorial Park in Perrysburg, Ohio, where Micheal will be laid to rest beside his father, Pedro.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Micheal’s memory to the Rossford Fraternal Order of Eagles #2322, an organization that was close to his heart.

Micheal's love, kindness, and passion for life will forever be remembered by all who knew him. Though his passing was sudden, his spirit lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

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