John J. Rossi

John J. Rossi, beloved husband of Lucy C. (Tarascio) Rossi, died Friday, (April 17, 2009), at the age of 88 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Siracusa, Italy, John came to the United States as a young boy, and settled in Hartford with his family. He was in the last class of the Brown School, and as a young man worked in his father's market on Front Street. He graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1938. During World War II, he served for three years as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in the Pacific Theater, and was awarded the Bronze Star by the 32nd Infantry Division. After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a degree in government, John worked for 25 years as an independent insurance agent and broker in Hartford, and as a supervisor of insurance for the Connecticut Department of Housing. He proudly served as a Commissioner of the MDC from 1957 until 1994, and served as Chairman for eight years. He was ahead of his time in promoting and establishing environmentally conscious projects that benefitted the community and the towns served by the District. In addition to his work in insurance, John owned Joey's Café (later Club 880), which gave him the opportunity to bring live jazz to Hartford. He also co-owned for a time One Hundred Acres Restaurant in Old Lyme. An avid golfer, he was a long time member of the Wethersfield Country Club. He found joy in sharing his love of Italy and Sicilian culture whenever family and friends gathered with him. John was devoted to his family. He leaves his wife Lucy C. Rossi, who brought him happiness for 62 years, a son, Joseph A. Rossi and wife Lynn of West Hartford; Rosemarie Lopez and husband Carl of Canaan; Ellen Rossi and husband James Bly of Wethersfield; Andrea Rossi-Reder and husband Michael of Waterford. He is proud of his grandchildren John C. Rossi and wife Andrea; Jaerid Rossi and wife Kirstin; Max Lopez; Bianca Cappellini; Nicola Cappellini; Ben Rossi; Ali Rossi; Noah Rossi-Reder; Lucy Rossi-Reder, and three great grandchildren, Jacob, Olivia, and William. John also leaves behind three sisters, Lucy Bull of Plainville, Tina Mingo and husband Joseph or Rocky Hill, and Yolanda Rossi of Wethersfield, as well as several nieces and nephews. He endeared everyone with his charm and strong personality. He will be missed sorely by his family and many friends. The family would like to thank the oncology staff at St. Francis Hospital 8th floor for their wonderful care. The funeral is Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Incarnation, Wethersfield. Burial with full military honors will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hartford Public Library, C/O Administration/Rossi, 500 Main St. Hartford 06103. For on-line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com