Stanley Burroughs Rossi

Stanley Burroughs Rossi died of cancer July 31, 2006 at his home in Austin, Texas. He was 56. Stan was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 16, 1949 to Joan Ululani Rossi and Angelo Rossi. He attended Star of the Sea, St. Louis High School, and Chaminade University. He continued his studies at the University of Hawaii, where he was a gymnast and cheerleader. A brief stint as a flight attendant with Aloha Airlines showed him the importance of good customer service, and he carried that knowledge with him throughout his career in the restaurant business. In the early 70’s he was a dancer and waiter at the Mad Greek restaurant where he never wrote down an order and astounded patrons by remembering their favorite drinks year after year when they returned for their vacations in Hawaii. He went on to become director of training for Coulter’s Bar-B-Que and Grill in Dallas, a principal of Restaurant Rescue in Austin, and vice president of operations for Tony Roma’s in Hawaii, where his proudest accomplishment was the annual Hugs Christmas party for children with terminal illnesses. He also served as president of the Hawaii Restaurant Association and president of the Austin chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association. Several years ago he was able to devote full time to his passion of teaching Tai Chi and was able to share his art with hundreds of students, many of whom now carry on his work by teaching others. Sifu Stan taught classes at Lake Austin Spa and Resort, the Crossings, the Austin Martial Arts Academy at The Hills Fitness Center, the Academy of Oriental Medicine, and under the open sky with his treasured Tai Chi O’Hana students. Earlier this year, he was given the title of Master Sifu by his peers, an honor that touched him deeply. In 1976 he met his beloved Kateva, and they enjoyed a special and devoted relationship for thirty years. They most enjoyed traveling together and hand in hand toured Bali, swam the azure waters of Bora Bora, hiked in Canada, explored Germany, and returned many times to Hawaii. Pure joy came into his life whenever he saw his cherished granddaughter, “Lani”, and he told her over and over, “Stannie loves you more than anyone in the whole wide world….. except for Grandmama.” Stan’s survivors include his wife, Kateva, his granddaughter, Alana Blaskowski and her daddy, Curt, Austin, Texas, his father, Angelo Rossi and two sisters, Regina Pfeiffer and Thia Rossi, Oahu, a brother, Mark Rossi, Kauai, brother and sister in law, Don and Cheryl Rattan, Bedford, Texas, his Tai Chi O’Hana, and the extended Austin Tai Chi community. The family wishes to thank Kathy Enfinger and the BOB FM sales team, the management of Emmis Austin Radio, Tai Chi O’Hana, Michelle Cheney, Marcy Baird, Ken and Judith, and the 3 angels from Honolulu for their outpouring of unprecedented generosity, love, and support. We are so grateful to have you in our lives. A celebration of sharing his life will be held at One World Theater in Austin, Monday, August 7 at 11 am, with Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home providing arrangements. An informal gathering will follow at the Rossi home. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com