Frederick Joseph Rossi, Sr., 92, of Tuscaloosa, passed away peacefully at his home on November 28, 2016. He was predeceased by his wife Julia Mae Pugh Rossi and son Dr. Frederick Joseph Rossi, Jr. He is survived by daughter-in-law Gail Jakubicek Rossi (the late Frederick); sons Todd Alexander Rossi (Debbie), Collins Christopher Rossi (the late Patricia), and Clay Thomas Rossi (Elizabeth); grandchildren Frederick Joseph Rossi, III (Rachel); Joseph Nicholas Rossi; Alexandra Elise Rossi; Christian Parker Rossi (Desirée); Katherine Grace Rossi; Nancy Rossi Blackall (Britton); Olivia Anne Rossi; Isabelle Donovan Rossi; Julia Agatha Rossi; and Cecilia Anastasia Rossi; and great-grandchildren Henry Llewelyn Blackall and Liam Gray McMullin. He is also mourned by companion Jean Evans and her daughters Holly Evans and Hillary Watkins.
Dr. Rossi was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He practiced dentistry in Copiague, N.Y. and Vivian, La. before retiring in 1992. In 1996, he and Julia relocated to Tuscaloosa to be near the university where they met and received their degrees. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
An avid baseball fan and talented player, Fred’s opportunity to respond to an invitation to try out for the New York (Baseball) Giants was supplanted by his service in the United States Army during World War II. His favorite teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide and the New York Mets. Many will remember Fred from his years behind home plate handling the radar gun for the University of Alabama baseball team.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Thursday, December 1 at 11 a.m., with burial to follow in Sunset Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
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