Joseph Rossi

Joseph R. Rossi

1918 - 2010 LENOX Joseph Rocco Rossi, 92, a resident of Cameron House in Lenox, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2010, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, surrounded by his devoted family.

Joe was born in Naugatuck, Conn. on May 4, 1918, one of nine children of Settimio and Annunciata Orincelli Rossi. A lifelong resident and business man, he began his career working at Rosenblatts Dept. Store at the age of 13. For 53 years, he was the popular owner of Rossi's Shoe Store as well as the owner of Rossi's Tot Shop.

Joe was an active participant in civic affairs and was a founding father of the Naugatuck Exchange Club and was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor in 1967. He was also a charter member of the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls. He was a member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, the Naugatuck Lodge of Elks, Unico International, the Holy Name Society of St. Francis Church, served on the Board of Directors of the Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce and was an active member of the Naugatuck Red Cross.

As a young man, Joe developed an interest in competitive sports, in particular boxing and motorcycling, which lasted throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Naugatuck Valley Riders Motorcycle Club. As a boxer, he competed in over 67 semiprofessional and professional bouts. After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942, he became the 41st Infantry Division champion boxer for Gen. George Patton. He was recognized by the CT Boxing Guild, the Naugatuck Hall of Fame and the Naugatuck Alumni Association. In 2007 he was inducted into the CT Boxing Hall of Fame.

Besides his loving wife of 64 years, Inez, he leaves a son, Joseph Rossi, and his wife, Colleen, of Pittsfield; two grandchildren, Stephen Rossi of San Francisco, Calif., and Bethany Rossi of Boston, Mass; and many nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A military funeral was held Wednesday, July 7 in Naugatuck.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Naugatuck YMCA, Youth Boxing Program, Church St., Naugatuck, CT 06770 or to The St. Francis School Church Renovation Fund, 294 Church St., Naugatuck, CT 06770.