Sidney Rosen Jr.

ROSEN,
Sidney, Jr.
1-24-2011

Sidney Rosen, Jr. who was 90 years old, Hebrew name Binyamin Ben Yitzchak was residing at the V.A. Com- munity Living Center in Spokane, WA, passed away at 9:15 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011, just three days before his 90th birth- day. Sid was born on January 27, 1921 to Charlotte and Sid Rosen Sr., in Syracuse NY. His father played pro baseball in Syracuse and his mother was a model. Sid was raised in St. Paul MN and he attended the University of Minnesota until serving in World War II from 1942 to 1946 as an Army Air Corps Cadet. He was an airplane mechanic/engineer on B25s and B17s. He was injured in the Philippines/Okinawa when his jeep hit a landmine and then was honorably discharged on March 11, 1946.
Sid moved to Coeur d' Alene, ID and operated the Fish Inn with his parents in 1946 until 1949 when the freeway was put in and business was no longer exposed to traffic. Sid stayed in the area and managed the Vet's Club and the Silver Bar, among other clubs until he bought the Friendly Tavern in Hayden ID in 1964; where he eventually renamed the bar/restaurant to "Chef Rosen's". This establishment ultimately became quite famous for many reasons, including his demand for "Reservations Only ". Sid operated the restaurant with his mother for some years and with the help of his two son's, Joe and Mike, until he sold and retired in 1982. One of the most proud and talked about moments for Sid at the restaurant, was when he served twenty-two attorney generals from all across the United States. They enjoyed a fabulous dinner at his restaurant and after the meal, the entire group gave Sid a standing ovation for the most memorable and fabulous meal that they had ever had.
Sid lived his life to the fullest and his character was unique to say the least, the stories he had and told to so many were numerous. He always said it was because he had been a bartender his whole life. Sid would say that anything someone would talk to him about would always remind him of a joke, which he was more than happy to tell.
Sid belonged to the Synagogue, Temple Beth Shalom and was a life member of the V.F.W. During the time he was not at the restaurant, making his famous twice baked potatoes, he was a farmer. For 25 years he raised cattle and was crazy about cutting wood, at one point he had as much as 60 cords of wood surrounding the house.
Sid was very loving father, thought the world of all of his children. He was married to Irma for thirteen years and had five children: three sons and two daughters. With his second wife, Ellie, he had a son named Samuel Aaron, whom they dedicated to God. Sam now lives in Israel, married with five children and is a Yeshiva student. Ellie had two daughters Summer and Johanna.
Sid had one brother, Milt, who was born on the same day, exactly two years younger and passed away on January 18, 2008; with one surviving son, Steve Rosen, who now resides in Florida. Sid is survived by his son, David William Gridley, who reside in Meridian, ID, Cydney Ann Comstock, who resides in Liberty Lake, WA; Katherine Marie Rosen, who resides in the Coeur d' Alene area, Joseph Elliott Rosen, who also resides in the Coeur d' Alene area and Samuel Aaron Rosen, who resides in Israel. His son, Michael S. Rosen preceded him in passing. Sid has 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at Coeur d' Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d' Alene, ID 83815 on Thursday, (his birthday) at 12:30. The family requests that instead of flowers, please make donations to the Spokane WA V.A. Medical Center, in care of, the Community Living Center and Hospice Unit at 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane, WA 99205.
To review this obituary as well as the option to make comments and send messages to the family, please go the website
www.heritagefunerals.com. Ceremony will be announced at service.