John J. Rosher

John Joseph Rosher, Oneonta born and raised, athlete, coach, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and hospice volunteer passed away on August 25th, 2025, at Shaker Place Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Albany, NY at the age of 94.

John had a smile almost too large for his face, that he used either to make you laugh after telling you one of his many anecdotes, impishly using one of his favorite phrases that can’t be repeated here, or just greeting you. Small in stature, with a bigger than life heart, John was the son and last of 7 children born to first generation Italian Immigrants Nicholas Voscia and Migalena (Margaret) Pizza.

Like his father, John worked on the D&H Railroad after serving in the US Navy following his graduation from Oneonta High School. He married Betty Ellen Cross in 1956, and they had two children, Barbara and David.

After Betty’s death, he found his purpose in volunteering for Catskill Area Hospice (now Helios Care). Honoring his retirement in 2016, hospice noted that “from delivering paychecks to Cobleskill on cold snowy days, to sitting at the bedside for hours on end, John was always there at a moment's notice! We are sincerely going to miss him and his contagious smile!!”

John was a dedicated coach to the girls’ softball team in Franklin NY and cheered lifelong for his beloved Yankees. He also shared many happy years with his devoted companion Ann Putnam and her family after they lost their spouses.

John was predeceased by his wife Betty and daughter Barbara, brothers Michael, Anthony, Nicholas, Frank (Chico) Rosher, and sisters Barbara (Bea) Carline and Madeline Sommer. He is survived by his son David of Lexington, VA, grandsons Benjamin, William, and Nicholas Banks, son-in-law Timothy Banks, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks to the staff of Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their wonderful care and kindness to John and his family and for Ann’s loving support throughout the years.