Published in the July 14, 2017 edition
PEABODY — Joseph A. Rossino Sr., 86, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully in Peabody on Saturday, July 8, 2017.
Joe was born in Everett on July 1, 1931, and was one of six children of the late Sebastian and Mary (DeFilippo) Rossino. Raised in Melrose, he graduated from Melrose High School with the Class of 1950, and received an Economics degree from Boston College. He then received his master’s in Education from Boston State College. Joe was married on June 15, 1957 to Patricia Donovan, and they settled in Melrose to raise two sons.
A football player at Melrose High, Joe always had a love for sports and competition. After working as a Math teacher and guidance counselor for several years, he accepted a position as athletic director for Malden High School. He enjoyed his work as athletic director from 1975 until his retirement in 1993, and was honored with the AD of the Year for the Greater Boston League in 1992-1993 and AD MSSADA District B Award in 1992-1993. Outside of his working life, Joe was active in the community. He served on the board of directors at the Malden Teachers Credit Union, was a member of the Crystal Community Club, and the Malden Rotary Club. With a flag always waving outside his home, he was a very proud American.
Joe enjoyed many summers at the family cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire. Later in life, he was lucky enough to find a companion, Dorothy Crawford, who he enjoyed many years with and yearly vacations to Aruba.
Physical fitness was always important to Joe, and he was a regular at the gym his entire life. Whether at home in Melrose, or away in Florida or New Hampshire, he started every day with a walk and enjoyed being outdoors working in the tomato garden. Joe was strong in both mind and body, and had the will to complete any home project. He worked a lot around the house, especially the New Hampshire cottage, and was blessed with artistic talent and skilled with his hands.
Joe was a very warm, loving, and reliable family man. He was generous, loved seeing his grandchildren and was forever loyal to his family. He quietly cared for his late wife Patricia with a gentle heart, and capable hands, never asking for anything in return. Joe will be lovingly remembered as a source of great love and quiet strength.
Joe was the beloved husband of the late Patricia L. (Donovan) Rossino, with whom he shared nearly 42 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Joseph A. Rossino Jr. and his wife Grace of Wakefield; and Christopher P. Rossino and his wife Janine of Stoneham. He was the dear brother of Tina Alberti and her late husband John; Stella Alberte and her late husband Jimmy; Thomas Rossino and his late wife Anna; Rico Rossino and his wife Barbara; and the late Mary Jackson and her late husband Ray. He was the cherished grandfather of Alyssa, Ashley, Michael, Samuel, Donovan and Blakely Rossino. He was preceded in death by his longtime companion, the late Dorothy Crawford. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Joe’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, July 13, and again on Friday, July 14, at 9 a.m., before leaving in procession to St. Mary’s Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose for his Funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Gifts in memory of Joe may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St., Ste. 200, Newton, MA 02458. For online tribute or directions, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
