Sebastian J. LaRosa

Sebastian J. LaRosa, (age 94), (affectionately “Ben”), a US Army Veteran, devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, with his family at his side in Annapolis, Maryland.

Known for his warm friendly smile and jovial disposition, he enjoyed telling jokes and making people laugh. He was deeply devoted to his family, country, and faith in God and faced every challenge with unabashed tenacity and resilience which is why he lived a long, happy life.

Sebastian was born in 1930 near Jackson, California to Italian Immigrant parents. They moved to New York City where he and his sister were raised in Brooklyn and Queens during the Great Depression.

After graduating from high school, he apprenticed with a New York City photographer. Discovering his passion, he became a professional photographer working for the United States government. During his lifelong career, he worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal where he photographed and documented years of important events and officials. He enjoyed travelling on occasional special assignments to different ports.

In addition to civil service, Sebastian served in the U.S. Military for 30 years including the Army and Army Reserves. He is a veteran of the Korean War and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Even at the age of 68, after retirement, he joined the New York Guard and was appointed Chief Warrant Officer to continue his service with the USA.

Sebastian married his wife Mary and lived in Queens NY where they raised their two daughters. He grew a large vegetable garden in the backyard where he liked to spend free time. After retirement, he and Mary relocated to Maryland to be near their girls.

A model family man, he loved Sunday dinners, family occasions, and any excuse for a road trip to visit family. He relished in the attention of his nieces and nephews who would summon him with “Uncle Benny!” But his most proud accomplishment was being ‘Pop-Pop’, finding any reason to spend time with his grandchildren.

He was a faithful Catholic church parishioner, attending Sunday mass with Mary until he was physically unable and then watched it on TV. He loved “Donut Sundays”. He served the community as a member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Mary’s Church, Annapolis.

Sebastian treasured his close friends and looked forward to dinners and outings with them. In recent years he liked sitting outside the front of his garage to greet and joke with close neighbors. He also enjoyed social events with the Admiral’s Annapolis (virtual) Yacht Club (teasing “the no boat, boat club”!). In his late 80’s, he built miniature wooden sailboats to give as gifts to family and friends.

Sebastian is predeceased by his parents, Vincenzina and Domenico, and his sister, Josephine.

He is survived by Mary, his beloved wife of 66 years, his two daughters, Maria (husband, Peter) and Angela (husband, Sean) and his two grandchildren, Alicia and Sebastian.

His big heart, loveable smile, and voracity for life will be dearly missed.

A visitation for Sebastian will be held Monday, February 17, 2025 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street. Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 9:00 am in St John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery Crownsville, 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032.

In Lieu of Flowers, contributions made in Sebastian LaRosa's memory may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project.

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org