A man of few words but strong conviction, Raymond Frank Rose, 99, was a legend in his own time. Our dear, caring, compassionate father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023, at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Born January 7, 1924, to Emelio (Mike) and Mary (Massaro) Rose (Rossi), Ray grew up “on the hill” in Wooster’s Little Italy with his six siblings: Samuel, Angelina, Albert, Paul, Delores, and Richard, all deceased. Ray married his beloved wife Florence Moretti on September 17, 1949. Married for 64 years, Ray truly missed his wife and best friend after her passing in February of 2014.
Surviving are his children Don (Becky) Rose of Polk, Carol (Bob) Hines, Janet (Ron) Fry, and Trish (Kim) van Tol all of Wooster; grandchildren Heidi Renee (Rose) Clark, Todd (Michelle) Doty and Ashley-Rae Rose Doty (Erich Buehner), Natalie Rose (Joe) Geitgey and Audrey Rose Fry, Carly Rose (Kyle) Hart and Lexi Rose van Tol (Logan Sims), Meredith Hines (Steve) Schulte and Leslie Hines; great grandchildren Blake Doty, Brandon (Molly) Doty, Camden Doty and Carsen Doty, Trinity Rose Lewis, Ben Schulte and Ella Schulte, Camille Pangrace, Sawyer Wilson, Vance Hart and Harvey Hart, Griffen Geitgey and Stella Rose Geitgey; Sister-in-Law Bobbi (Ray) Moretti of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Ray proudly served his country in WWII in the 44th Infantry Division/71st Infantry Regiment, through France, Germany, and Austria, first as a lineman in L Company, then as a gunner in Cannon Company.
Upon his return to Wooster after being discharged from the Army, Ray worked at a local trucking company, B & F Transfer, retiring in 1981. He also helped numerous relatives and friends with finishing concrete driveways, many in Barnes Drive Allotment, where he resided from 1963 until 2020.
His cooking skills, acquired while still in the Army stateside after the war ended, served him well. As a member of Lamplighters Civic and Social Club since the 1940s, he helped prepare many monthly spaghetti dinners and cooked for countless other fundraisers held at the Lamplighter Hall, including Wayne County Kidney Foundation benefits for twenty-five years, Friday before-game meals for the Wooster High School football team for several years, and for the Amici Italiani Festival. He also helped prepare and serve monthly spaghetti dinners at Wooster United Methodist Church’s “Meals Together” program, as well as cooking for his family on all the holidays, birthdays, and then some ~ “Mangia, Mangia!”
Besides a good joke, whether telling or hearing, Ray also enjoyed many card games. He started his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with matching cards – “Concentration,” if you will – and then Fish, War, Rummy, Euchre and Poker. If you were playing for money, as in Poker, it was almost certain that you would leave with less than you started. If you were playing Euchre, you hoped he was your partner. Rummy – well, try as you might, it was difficult to beat him. Ray also enjoyed dice, Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles.
For twenty plus years Ray made wine from local berries received from friends with whom he shared “Ray’s Own,” always maintaining his personal 8 PM glass to be the secret of his longevity!
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave, Wooster, Ohio.
Raymond and his beloved wife Florence will both be laid to rest Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10:45 AM, at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd, Seville, Ohio.
Relatives and Friends may call Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham, and Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E Larwill St, Wooster, Ohio.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, PO Box 109, Wooster, Ohio, or to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd, Wooster, Ohio
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
The family wishes to thank Drs Nicolozakes and Lance, and the rest of the Staff and Volunteers of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare for their expert care and compassion, while Dad was at home and during his stay at the Akron Rd, Wooster, facility.
So sorry for your loss , losing parents are hard!
Cousins…Thinking far back into my early years, I cannot remember the time that Uncle Ray was not there. Those special people are the ones that have been there all your life. It’s good to know he was surrounded by family when he went to join your mother. Uncle Ray was always quick to give and quick to laugh. He will be missed but he leaves us lots of memories! Love to all!
Nightsweeper1@gmail.com
Sorry for your loss. I always liked your dad and mom.
Sorry for your loss.
To all my Rose cousins,
How lucky you were to have such a fun caring and loving dad…Such great memories ❤️
Mom loved him so!!
May the cards and dice be played on in heaven with him leading the pack.
Much Love
Cousin Connie
So sorry for your loss, prayers are with the family, Ray was a great person.
Ray and I volunteered for many many years at the Church’s Sunday night bingo. He would always tell me about his Friday night poker and how much he won. Loved his laugh too. Condolences to Jan and the rest of his family.
Carol- Sorry to hear about your Dad. Condolences to the family.
Thinking about you at this time.
My first memory of life was an experience I recall at a Sunday afternoon family picnic at Knight’s Field Park atop Stucky Hill, circa 1959. The park was located in the midst of the large Italian community in Wooster, Ohio, with most of the folks congregated consisting of second and third-generation American-born citizens. The familiar names included Massaro, Rose, Grande, and others like Nogle, Rogers, Withrow, Wright, Harsh, and Raber, to mention a few.
Sunday gatherings were common, with the location determined by my estimation of a couple of phone calls the week prior. I had no idea of the formula, but I knew it was fun to gather, eat, and play games until it was time to head home for a week.
My blessed memory took place after the meal when adults would dote over their many nieces, nephews, and cousins. My cousin Ray Rose took me into his arms, telling me how special I was, when he suddenly detected a piece of sometime in my eye. In a flash, he had the attention of my mother and father. Whatever it was didn’t bother me, but it caused concern among all the grown-ups. It was that day I discovered my phobia of fingers in my eyes. My reluctance to cooperate led to a visit to Doctor Wright’s office the following day, with the same combative results. The solution was to schedule an appointment at the Wooster Community Hospital a day or two later at some ungodly time of the morning, where I followed instructions to inhale the ether, waking to offers of ice cream.
On Monday, February 20, 2023, nearly sixty-four years later, I had the honor to visit Ray Rose as he was comforted by his children and a little doll made from his deceased wife’s pajamas that he held close to his heart. This time, I told Ray how special he was as I detected the ‘peace’ in his eyes.
So sorry for the families loss. Seeing his young picture I can see how my grandmother Angelina Ross DiGiacomo and Ray were siblings. I’m sure I met him a time or two when we would go to the family reunions. I only attended 1 maybe 2. I would visit my father Michael” Mickey Joe ” DiGiacomo in the summer month’s from Florida. I was his first born. I was a
Overwhelmed by reunion. I couldn’t believe I was related to all those people. My father made sure I knew my roots in Wooster. I was born there but returned to Florida at a very young age. I’m sure he is having a wonderful time reunited with his wife and siblings. May you rest in peace.
Sending our sympathy to the entire Rose family.
Don, so sorry to hear of Rays passing.
He was a gem and loved by many.
Our deep condolences to you Janet and Trish and all of your beautiful family. It is so hard saying good-bye for now. His obituary made me think of my own father. He also loved to cook and he too a WWII veteran.
Prayers lifted for peace and comfort.
Donny, Carol, and family…I was sorry to hear about your dad. I had the pleasure of seeing him in early November this year at a WWII presentation. It was my honor and I am thinking of you during this time.
Sincere condolences & Heartfelt sympathies to Uncle Ray’s family & friends during this extremely difficult time. 🙏🏼❤️✝️
Condolences to your family, Ray was all
those things we strive for. I know my grandfather (Frank Massaro)was at heavens gates welcoming Ray into Heaven. I remember the last few months of my grandfathers life he loved it when Ray made his “home maders and wine sauce”. Best friends they were always. Blessings to you all!
We will miss him, but are comforted by the thought that he is with his beloved Florence, and his God! We loved him also! Another wonderful Italian who gave so much to the community he loved! Good memories of a good man.
I am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed Ray’s friendship for a brief period, and enjoyed our time together. Ray and Dad were friends so there was a connection already there. Carol thanks for your hospitality and letting me spend time with Ray. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Rose family.
Dear Rose Family, we were so sad to hear the news of Ray’s passing. He was always upbeat and into so many different projects. We are sure he and Florence are cooking, laughing and celebrating together. They both are truly missed. So sorry for your loss.
Our sincere condolences to the entire Rose family. His was a life well-lived. There’s some card playing and wine sipping going on up there!