George L. Rossi

George Rossi of Potsdam died on October 27 at the age of 98. He was born February 22, 1925, to Italian immigrant parents, Angela Simonassi and Luigi Rossi, in New York City. He was happily married to his devoted wife Theresa Grillo Rossi for 74 years. He leaves behind his wife; his daughters and their partners, Laura Rossi Walters (Jake Walters); Carol Rossi Fries (John Fries); Christine Rossi (John Bailey); his grandchildren, Christopher Walters, Leah Walters, Scott Fries, Nicky Anderson and their partners, Lori, Grace, Samantha, and Manny; his great-grandchildren, Leo, Ollie, and Winnie; his sister Marisa Briar; and his nieces and nephews, Joseph, Joanne, Janine, Renee, and Paul.

George and his family lived in Brooklyn and Long Island before his retirement to Potsdam. He served during World War II in the Army Air Force Corps as an airplane mechanic. He worked as a mechanical designer and was an accomplished painter.

Love was the hallmark of George’s life. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor. He often told us he loved us and demonstrated it by everything he did.

George loved nature and was a lifelong learner, taking Latin and Quantum Mechanics in his 80’s at SOAR. He was an active member of the Potsdam community and volunteered in the mailroom at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital for 20 years and for the New York State Bluebird Society and the Indian Creek Nature Center.

George loved living in the Mayfield apartments. His family wants to thank his neighbors and the staff for their kindness to both our parents. We are also forever grateful for the compassionate care our dad received at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital and the North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

By his example, George taught us to love learning, respect nature, be a good neighbor, an active citizen, and a loving parent. Those lessons will never be forgotten. We will remember his kindness, his sense of humor, his stories, his love of food, his adventurous nature, but most of all, his love of us.

There will be a wake at the Garner Funeral Service in Potsdam on November 11, from 3-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the New York State Bluebird Society, the Indian Creek Nature Center, or the Friends of Higley Flow State Park. Condolences for the Rossi family can be shared @www.garnerfh.com.