Carlo Dante Rossini (Carl Rossini Sr.), the beloved patriarch of the Rossini family of Dallas, was called home to paradise on January 13, 2020, and joins his wife of 59 years, Ellen, who passed into eternity in 2014. He is mourned and loved by more than 60 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and spouses; and many dear relatives and friends.
Carl was born on June 29, 1930, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the eldest son of Italian-born parents, Dante J. and Assunta M. Rossini. He graduated from Cretin High School in 1948 and the University of St. Thomas in 1953 with a BA in English. While serving in the Air Force from 1953 to 1955, where he rose to the rank of 1st lieutenant, he met Ellen Frances Coen in Nashville, and they were wed in September 1955.
Carl worked for the Northern States Envelope Co. in St. Paul from 1955 to 1958, and the St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press from 1958 to 1961. With a growing family, including triplet sons, he embarked on his career with IBM/Lexmark in Minneapolis, Detroit and Dallas, where he was a top sales executive for 35 years. Carl was recognized by IBM for a unique achievement as their top sales performer (president of the Hundred Percent Club) three years in a row, qualified for Golden Circle nine times, and was featured in IBM’s Think magazine. When he retired in 1996, three people had to take his place.
A devout Catholic and the family’s spiritual leader, Carl was president of the men’s club and a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Alexander parish in suburban Detroit.
When Carl moved the family to Dallas in 1974, they joined St. Mark the Evangelist, their parish home for 45 years. Carl lectored, taught religious education, served as a Eucharistic minister, and for many years was a daily communicant. He was a member of the North Dallas Serra Club and wrote their newsletter for many years, for which he won awards. He supported Ellen’s parish and pro-life voluntarism in the community and in the last years of her life was known for how faithfully he cared for her.
A most beloved “PawPaw,” Carl dearly loved his grandchildren and family gatherings, and attended innumerable school events, games and performances. He also made his own greeting cards for birthdays and other occasions. His favorite hobby was golf, and he was a member of Canyon Creek Country Club. He had the rare acclaim of two holes in one; another highlight was getting to play at Augusta National Golf Club. Carl also loved all things Italian – food, singers and movie stars.
Carl was active at the Highland Springs Retirement Community in far North Dallas, where he golfed with friends every Tuesday, sang in the choir and served on the Ambassador Committee and the Resident Advisory Council.
In addition to his wife, Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Gloria O’Connell and Jeanette Schmid.
He is survived by his eight children and spouses, all in the Dallas area: Carl Jr. and Ellen L. Rossini; William Rossini; Murray and Laura Rossini; Nick and Terri Rossini; Teresa Rossini Stadelman; Mary Rossini Brandt and Tom Brandt; Elizabeth Rossini Pogostin and Alex Pogostin; and Gino and Rita Rossini.
27 grandchildren and spouses: Carl Rossini III and Stephanie Regis, Anthony Rossini and Micah Rossini, Julia Rossini; Maria Rossini; Amy Rossini Singh and Daman Singh; Ashley Rossini; Christina Rossini and Mark Register; Anna Rossini Leigh and Jeremy Leigh; Eileen Cassidy Pretorius and David Pretorius; Andy Cassidy; Lauren Cassidy; Angela Stadelman Daly and Noah Daly; John Stadelman and Kari Stadelman; Mary Clare Stadelman Dryden and Grant Dryden; Paul Stadelman and Lauren Stadelman; Nicholas Brandt and Kathryn Brandt; Christopher Brandt and Jennifer Brandt; Catherine Brandt; Anthony Brandt; Elizabeth Brandt; and Stephen Brandt; Natalie Pogostin, Rebecca Pogostin, Joseph Pogostin and Caroline Pogostin; and Caroline Rossini, Thomas Rossini, Sophia Rossini, Lydia Rossini and Marianne Rossini.
10 great-grandchildren: Nicholas Alexander Rossini; Elizabeth Daly, Gracie Eisenman, Noah Daly and Margaret Daly; Maria Stadelman, Bernadette Stadelman, John Kolbe Stadelman and Isaac Stadelman; and Rosalie Dryden.
He is also survived by his brother, Dante Rossini and his wife Mary Jo of St. Paul and numerous nephews and nieces, and many loving friends.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to his wonderful caregivers at Fountain View, particularly Dr. Mary, Esther, Rose, Jenny and Melissa.
Visitation and Rosary will be held Monday at 6:30 pm. at St. Mark the Evangelist Church located on Alma Dr. and 15th St., Plano, with the Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Catholic Pro-Life Community, www.prolifedallas.org. Thank you.
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