Jim attended the old Franklin Grammar School, schools in San Francisco and South San Francisco and graduated from Merced High School in 1948. He also attended American River College in Sacramento.
Jim retired from Farmers Insurance Group in 1994 with over 30 years in various sales management positions.
A member of Our Lady of Mercy/St. Patrick’s Parish, he co-founded the Monday Club at St. Patrick’s and was past president of Our Lady of Mercy School’s Dad’s Club. He served as a board member of the Catholic Professional Business Club of Merced, as a Director of Catholic Charities, and as both Commentator and Lector at St. Patrick’s and as a member of the Parish Council. He held membership in the Italian Catholic Federation and had served as 1st Vice President. He was also a member of the Italo-American Lodge.
Jim was a long time member of the Merced County Historical Society and the Yosemite Conservancy and held past membership in the Wilderness Society, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Wildlife Federation and the California Parks Foundation. He was a member of both the Merced Theatre Foundation and the Merced Symphony Association. In addition, he supported Public Citizen, the League of Women Voters and the Friends of the Library.
Jim was a lifelong Democrat. In the 1950’s he served on the Merced County Democratic Central Committee, cofounded the old Merced Democratic League and was co-campaign chairman in Merced Adlai Stevenson’s 1956 presidential bid. In 1960, he chaired Merced’s Youth for Kennedy for John F. Kennedy’s successful campaign.
He was a past member of the Merced Golf and Country Club. Jim served on the Board of Director’s as president of MG & CC’s Senior Association and was past president of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Golfer’s Association.
Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife Jan to such countries as Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, and Portugal in addition to over 9 trips to Canada especially Quebec, Nova Scotia and the Canadian Maritimes.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Janet; his father Edward Rosa and mother Mercedes Washburn. He is survived by his children, James Rosa Jr. and wife Pam of Costa Mesa and daughters, Maryanne Brown and husband Mike of Yuba City, Josephine Rosa of Merced and Joan Araujo and husband Dr. David Araujo of Ventura. Jim also leaves brothers Lawrence Brown and wife Rita of Sonoma, Tom Brown and wife Deanna and sister Judy Prine of Merced. In addition, he is survived by six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Jim will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church where Jim was both baptized as a child and later married. A rosary will be at 8:30 am followed by mass at 9:00 am on June 5, 2021. A private burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Contributions may be to the Diocesan Priests Retirement Fund, c/o St. Patrick’s Parish or a charity of your choice.
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