Obituary of William Bill Rosa

William Bill Kennedy Rosa, 88, peacefully died on Thursday, January 4, 2007 surrounded by his loving family. After courageously battling lung cancer for nearly two years, he was brought to Mountain Valley Hospice on Wednesday morning. Embracing the fullness of life, he reached his goal of joyously celebrating the 2006 holiday season with his family. He was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of the late Carlton and Jane Slemons Rosa. Mr. Rosa was a 1937 graduate of Gloversville High School. Following this he went to work for S.J. Fallis and Co. where he learned his trade. He was a master plumber and remained a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union of Albany for over fifty years and worked mostly Treher and Jung Inc. before his retirement. On August 31, 1940 he married Ruth L. Ricci. Mr. Rosa was a P.O.W for eight months in Germany during his service in the U.S Army, and received several awards including a Purple Heart. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, where he belonged to the couples club. He was active in Boy Scouting as the Scout Leader for troop #10 at Trinity Episcopal Church for many years and was a charter member of the Scouters at San Souci. Mr. Rosa was the recipient of the scouting Silver Beaver Award. Mr. Rosa was a life member of the DAV, and the VFW. He enjoyed Breakfast with the Vets, shuffle board, Sudoku, bridge, golf, gardening and loved spending time with his family. They call him the ?Incredible Mr. Fix-it? and enjoyed the result of his creative and building skills. One of his greatest achievements was the designing and building of a camp on West Caroga Lake. After retirement he served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and began a passionate pursuit of basket weaving. Mr. Rosa is survived by his wife, Ruth Rosa of Broadalbin and by his two daughters, Susan L. Richard Peters of Amsterdam and Janice E. David Willis of Broadalbin. Also surviving him are his five loving grandchildren, Richard W. Susan Peters, Nancy Richard Bambara, Matthew Tammy Denman, William Denman and his fiancée Sarah Allen, and Elizabeth Andrew Huisjen, as well as six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Al Ricci, and his wife Rose Ricci., as well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Rosa was predeceased by his sister June Sturm. Mr. Rosa made a generous contribution to medicine by participating in the Anatomical Gift Program of Albany Medical Center College. The family will receive friends at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville from 4-6 pm on Sunday January 7. At 6 pm there will be a time of celebration allowing family and friends an opportunity to share in reflection of Bill?s life. A memorial mass will be held 11 am on Monday January 8, at Sacred Heart Church in Gloversville.