Henry ‘Enrico’ Rossi

September 17, 1920 – June 30, 2022

Henry Rossi was born Enrico Bertolli Rossi on September 17, 1920 in El Cerrito, California to Pietro Rossi and Enrichetta Valenti. Tragically, his mother did not survive the birth. At the age of 2 or 3, he and his father returned to Somma, Lombardo, Italy where Pietro re-married and was raised with his older brother Carletto. In 1938, Henry returned to the United States and lived with his Aunt Maria and Uncle Bartolomeo Parola on Alviso St. in Santa Clara. In July, 1942, Henry dutifully enlisted, and was accepted, to the United States Army. He served a total of over 40 months, 32 stationed in England, where he was a cook at a hospital. In December, 1945 he was Honorably Discharged. He used this experience in his long and successful work life.

In early 1950, he met Teresa Pino. They both loved the Big Band music of the era, and the dancing that went with it. They also loved a good classic polka. In July of 1951, Teresa finally accepted his proposal, and he was able to marry the angel, and true love of his life. They were married at St. Clare Parish in Santa Clara. They had three children, Peter, Diane, and Linda.

For many years, Henry worked as a pantry man and line cook at the then popular Lucca Café across the street from the University of Santa Clara. It was in the downstairs banquet hall that their wedding reception was held. He later worked for 17 years at the iconic Mariani’s Restaurant on the El Camino. He retired from the industry in the mid 1980s.

When he could, Rico, as he was known to many, enjoyed hunting duck, quail, jack rabbit and pheasant in nearby Los Banos and Tracy areas. Yes, we ate everything he brought home.

He loved to drive. Many summer vacations were spent driving to Tahoe, Clear Lake, and to beautiful Santa Cruz. Tahoe in winter was also a part of his Love for driving. Santa Cruz was 2-3 times a week in the summers, and always ended with a walk and fun on the Boardwalk at night.

Henry is survived by his loving wife, Teresa, son Peter, daughters Linda and Diane, grandchildren Matthew and Melissa Machens, and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews, and even a few great-grands.

He is also survived by family in Somma Lombardo, in the Varese province, Lombardy, Italy. His neice, Clara, daughter of his older brother Carletto. Her husband Alberto Tonetti and their daughter and great niece, Laura, her husband Gianni Sessa and their two daughters, great great nieces, Valentina and Beatrice. Son and nephew, Gabriele his wife Roberta Daverio, and their two sons, great, great nephews, Paolo and Simone.

He is truly one of the longest lived, and loved, of the Greatest Generation of America. God Speed, Dad.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Rossi family.