Thomas W. Rossi, 77, of Fairhaven died Tuesday September 23, 2014 at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was born in New Bedford to William and Helen (Rogers) Rossi. He was the husband of Marylou (Treadup) Rossi whom he married in September 1960.
Tom graduated from Holy Family High School where he was a proud member of the 1955 Tech Tournament State Championship basketball team. He also played baseball and basketball at Providence College where he graduated as a Commissioned Officer. He served in the United States Army Signal Corps stationed at Fort Gordon, Augusta, GA and served as a distinguished member of the Honor Guard. He also was the 3rd Army baseball and basketball coach for most of his tour of duty. His love of sports remained a constant in his life.
His children were raised in Dartmouth and Tom was active as a coach for many youth activities. Later Wilbur Point became his beloved year round home. He was a past volunteer at Market Ministries, a former member of the Serra Club, and a charter member of the New Bedford Noon Lions Club. He was a faithful Roman Catholic.
He is survived by the children he loved and was so proud of, Thomas W. Rossi Jr. and his wife Kari of Mattapoisett, Peter J. Rossi of Fairhaven, and Kathleen H. Taylor and her husband Stephen of East Greenwich, RI. The frosting on his cake were his six grandchildren, Sarah Rossi Griffin, Maggie Rossi, Brendan Rossi, Peter Taylor, Erin Taylor, and Kacey McKenna.
He was predeceased by a brother, William N. Rossi and a sister, Harriet Rossi Frates.
His Funeral will be held on Friday at 10 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven at 11 AM. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, St. Joseph's Church, 74 Spring St., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or Community Nurse and Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.