Mangaluru : Local television channel Coastal Times Managing Director Agnel Rodrigues passed away after a brief illness at a private hospital on Sunday. He was 55. He was running two news bulletins one in English and another in Konkani language every day — through the channel.

A resident of Bejai, Rodrigues was also running an NGO ‘Agnel Adventure’ and Canine Club, through which he has trained a number of canines. A number of people going abroad used to leave their dogs with Agnel. He was taking care of canines, sometimes even for a couple of months till they return.

His annual event ‘Slow Driving Race’ and ‘Reverse Drive,’ where drivers had to drive the vehicles in reverse gear in a track, was quite popular.

Agnel, who was serving as the Secretary of Mangaluru Press Club, had also served as a PRO of Lions Club and Indian Red Cross Society Blood Bank Committee Member.

A recipient of Rajyotsava and Konkani Sahitya Academy awards, he had also acted in a couple of movies including ‘Chali Polilu,’ ‘Madime,’ ‘Oriyardori Asal,’ ‘Namma Kudla’ and ‘Telikeda Bolli.’

He is survived by his wife Merlyn and sons Sanjay and Sanjith. Mangaluru Press Club, District Working Journalists’ Association and Patrika Bhavan Trust has condoled the death of Agnel.

His funeral is likely to be held at St Francis Xavier Church in Bejai on Monday evening.