Lawrence K. Rossi Sr.

BERLIN - Lawrence Kenneth Rossi Sr., 96, of the Barre-Montpelier Road, died early Friday morning, January 16, 2015, at his home.

Born August 13, 1918, on Foss Street in Barre City, he was the son of Augustus and Fenesia (Malnati) Rossi.

He attended Barre City Schools and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1937 and Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1939 with a degree in business administration.

On May 15, 1948, Lawrence married Nelda Alice Giannoni in St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre. They had always lived on the Barre-Montpelier Road and since 1953, at their present home.

In earlier years, he was an auditor for the state of Vermont and will always be remembered for his long association with the former St. Johnsbury Trucking Co. as terminal manager in Barre and Montpelier and district manager for New England and New York. Later, he worked as a Realtor for W.J. Heney and Sons Realtors of Montpelier.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushrooming and golfing.

Being an Army veteran of World War II, he served with the 6th Army for three-and-a-half years in the South Pacific theatre of operations. Lawrence was recalled to active duty with the 43rd Infantry Division during the Korean War and retired as a major with the Vermont Army National Guard with over 21 years of service.

His memberships include St. Monica Catholic Church of Barre, the Barre Hunting Club, the Barre Elks Lodge #1535, the Barre American Legion Post #10, the Mutuo Inc., the Barre Country Club, and had shot two holes-in-one during his golfing career, the Vermont Football Official's Association, the New England Intercollegiate Football Association and the Retired Officers Association, as well as the Association of the United States Army.

Lawrence was a member for 15 years and past chairman of the Berlin School Board and was instrumental in the building of the new elementary school.

Besides his wife, Nelda, he leaves his daughter, Lauren Rossi Van Deren, of Williamstown and son, Lawrence Rossi Jr., of Joe's Pond; four grandchildren, Jessica Van Deren Herlihy, John Van Deren, Elizabeth and Zachery Rossi; and four great-grandchildren, Celeste and Baxter Herlihy and Faelen and Luciana Rossi. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Alba Rossi and Jeannine Giannoni, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lawrence was predeceased by his son, Kevin Rossi, who died in 1997; his parents; three sisters, Evelyn Mooney, Lydia Rossi and Laura Domenichelli; and four brothers, Augustus "Gus" Rossi, Theodore "Ted" Rossi, Navy Ensign and pilot Claude Rossi, who died in World War II, and Oliver "Midge" Rossi.

The Mass of Christian burial to celebrate his life will be held Thursday, January 22, 2015, at 11 a.m. in St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre.

Later interment with military honors accorded will be made in the Berlin Corner Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Barre Fish and Game Club - Gunner Brook Fishing Derby, P.O Box 130, Barre, VT 05641.