Bobby Joe Rosso

Bobby Joe Rosso, the only child of Lessie and Mary Rosso, was born on May 9, 1935 in Hartford, Arkansas. He was the son of a coal miner raised in the “Little Italy” section of Hartford. Bob graduated from Hartford High School in May of 1953.

In September 1953, Bob went to California in search of work and joined Laborers’ Local 802 in Wilmington, California. He would spend the next 41 years in the Labor Movement, starting out as a General Laborer and working his way up to Secretary-Treasurer/Business Manager of Laborers’ Laborers Local 802. Positions of his work career include: Hod Carrier, Surveyor, Job Steward, Laborer Foreman, Executive Board Member, Vice President, Business Agent, and President. In 1977, he attended and graduated from the Harvard Trade Union program sponsored by the LIUNA. He held seats on the Joint Adjustment Board, Plaster Tenders Board, Pension Trust, Training Trust and he was an Auditor for the Southern California District Council of Laborers. Bob helped many people along his way and was notorious for his quick wit and ability to “stir the pot”. Bob was hardworking, dedicated and highly regarded by his peers.

In 1955, Bob met his future bride, Zina Russo. Mr. Bobby J. Rosso married Miss Virginia (Zina) Russo on September 10, 1960. Their union produced four children, Kathy, Tina, Debbie and Robert, that they raised in San Pedro, California.

In 1995, Bob and Zina retired to his hometown in Hartford, Arkansas where they lived and operated Rooster Ridge Ranch, raising cattle and his bantam chickens he so loved. Bob was active in the community, volunteering and serving as Mayor of the City of Hartford. He was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church.

Bob was called home to our Lord on Tuesday January 11, 2022, after a long struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He is survived by his wife of 61 + years, Zina Rosso; four children, Kathy Dilrio, Tina Collins, Debbie (Brian) Baker, Robert (Marta) Rosso; grandchildren, Tomi Collins, BreeAna (Ken) Sobieski, Johnathan (Melissa) DiIrio, Alix (Jonathan) Hoog, Justin DiIorio, Riki Rosso, Andrew (Brooke) Baker, Tyler Rosso and Thomas (Morgan) Baker; seventeen great grandchildren, David, Jasmine (Jared) Allen, Tomi L., Robert , Anthony, Mykel, McKenzie, Nathan, Jayce, Mia, Jaxon, Braydon , Abbie, Joey, Max, Nikolas and Annabelle. Cousin -Carolyn (Bonat) (Odel) Brewer. Last and most importantly his beloved dog Almond (Pooky).

Services for Bob will be held on February 5, 2022 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Hartford. Rosary and eulogy will start at 9:30 am with Mass to follow at 10 am. Inurnment following Mass at Hartford Memorial Park the a Celebration of Life will follow Inurnment at Santini’s in Hartford at noon.

Honorary pallbearers Mark Turnipseed, Ricky Sabatucci, Dallas Cazy and Brent Thompson.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to the Heart of Hospice, 1401 S Waldron Rd., Ste 201, Fort Smith, AR 72903 (www.heart of hospice.net) or research for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (www.psp.org).

A special thank you to his care giver Merrinda Harrod who never left his side. Also, to the Heart of Hospice staff, especially Patricia and Sydney and all the others that help to care for Bob.