Ralph Rose

Ralph Augustas Rose, 91, of Derrick City, a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Feb. 24, 2025, at his residence, with his four daughters by his side.
Born in Lewis Run on April 20, 1933, he was the son of Philip M. and Pauline Knapp Rose Sr.
Ralph attended St. Bernard School and graduated from Bradford High School in 1952. He graduated in 1953 from Kimball Union Academy, a top private school in New England.
Ralph was married to Judith Oliver Rose on Aug. 28, 1954, in St. Francis Church and they enjoyed 63 years together. They started dating when they were in the ninth grade and met in typing class.
He resided in Fort Campbell, Ky., and Clarksville, Tenn., with his wife while he served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. They lived their early married life in Bradford and raised their four girls on Tinadell Road. Later the couple resided in the Oliver family homestead in Derrick City. He and his wife owned and operated Wright Monumental Works Inc., Roseart Co. and Discovery Antiques. He lived and loved life and was dedicated to their businesses and the customers they served over the many years. He left his thumbprint all over town with memorials and recognition pieces on the Tuna Valley trails, University of Pittsburgh, Bradford Regional Medical Center, many of the churches and cemeteries in the area, etc. He was honored to be adopted into the Seneca Nation Heron Clan with sponsor Edith Daley in October 1982.
He was a constant, loving and supportive parent and grandfather, a true source of strength and inspiration to his entire family. He was deeply loved. He loved his large family and friends dearly. He was kind and caring to everyone and highly thought of in the community. Ralph loved to travel and had many great adventures to many wonderful places over the years. For many years, the winter months were spent skiing with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed summer months with his wife at Allegany State Park reading while Judy kayaked around the lake. He loved his gardening and bird watching.
He enjoyed his hobby of antiquing, going to flea markets for the thrill of great finds and attending car shows with their many good friends.
Ralph was a member of St. Francis and St. Bernard Church, where his good friend the Rev. Leo Gallina served the parish for many years.
Ralph is survived by his four daughters, Kimberly Rose Lundsten of Ellington, N.Y., Kathleen Rose (Benjamin) Wentworth, Kelly Rose (Mark) Platko of Bradford and Kara (Brett Sheaffer) Rose of Lancaster. He was a loving grandfather of 10 grandchildren, Adam, Sarah, Eric and Steven Lundsten; Amanda Kemick, Andrea Strotman and Benjamin Wentworth; Angela Morrison, Cassy Wolfe and Brianna Ruffner; and by 19 great-grandchildren, Caleb, Autumn, McKenzie, Lilly, Emmy, Michaela, Elianna, Anna, Axel, Owen, Kade, Aubrey, Rowan, Max, Emmet, Makena, Reese, Beau and Kevryn. He is also survived by his sister, Rita Rose (John) Murphy of Lewes, Del.
Ralph was predeceased by his parents, his wife, brother, Philip M. Rose Jr.; sisters, Joyce Rose and Dolores Myers; son-in-law, Steve Lundsten; and his special cousin, Michael Rose.
Although he finds peace with God, whom he served so well, it was very difficult for him to leave his family. He is once again with his wife, Judy, whom he adored so much. He was courageous in his fight for life. His legacy lives on in family and the priceless friends who enjoyed, cared for and celebrated his life as he lived. As his friend Bruce Perry would say "Ralph you are a gentleman and a scholar."
Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial at 1 p.m. Friday (Feb. 28, 2025) at St. Bernard Church with the Rev. John Jacquel, pastor, as celebrant. There will be a private burial in Willow Dale Cemetery at a later date.
Donations in his memory may be made to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 16701; St. Bernard Cemetery, P.O. Box 2394, Bradford, PA 16701; or the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, 212 E. Main St., Bradford, PA 16701.
In Ralph's memory, please hug someone you love today.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mascho Funeral Home Inc.
Online condolences can be expressed at maschofuneral.com.