Ronald G. Rossi

Ronald Gene Rossi, age 65, was born September 11, 1947 in Houston, TX. After battling cancer for many years, he passed peacefully on March 8, 2013 in Houston, TX. He is survived by his loving wife Susan and daughter Wendy. Surviving siblings include Ray Van Keuren, Rebecca Schlosser, and Kathleen Van Keuren McIver. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Lee Van Keuren, and stepfather, Russell Van Keuren. Ronnie grew up in Oak Forest and Hilshire Village in Houston. He played football at St. Theresa and Marion High School. Ronnie received his B.A. in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. He worked for many years as a legal investigator, had a black belt in Aikido, and enjoyed the time he spent training peace officers in the art of self defense. From an early age, Ronnie loved music and formed a band with his cousin Steven Hitt, and other close friends. The band made several records, and performed on TV, radio, and other music venues. Ronnie had many other interests including scuba diving and photography. Ronnie was a devoted member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. His true passion was his family and friends who all supported him through his long battle with cancer. His lifelong best friends included: cousin Steven Hitt, Robert Ontiveros, and Matthew Talty. The family also wishes to thank Jacqueline and Don Howard; Melissa Duff, husband Bill and their daughter Lexi, and all of the faculty and friends at Duchesne Academy for their loving care and friendship. Serving as pallbearers: Ray Van Keuren, James McIver, Frederick Schlosser, Steven Hitt, and honorary pallbearer Matthew Talty. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart at 10202 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77024. A visitation will begin, Monday, March 11th from 6-8 p.m. with a holy rosary at 7 p.m., in the main chapel of Forest Park Westheimer. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 12th at 2 p.m. in the main chapel. The Reverend Clint Ressler will be officiating funeral services. In remembrance of her father, his ten year old daughter Wendy wrote the following tribute: “Ronald Gene Rossi, my dad, died on March 9, 2013, at Memorial Hermann at 6:13 pm. He had the choice of having a dangerous surgery where he would mostly die, or he could have the nurses remove his breathing equipment and die pain free and peacefully. That’s exactly what he did. He died peacefully and was pain free for the first time in a long time. Although I knew this day was coming, I never thought that it would be this soon.”