George B Rost

George B Rost, 79, passed away peacefully in Fort Myers, Florida at 9:13 am on Tuesday 5/23/23 with his wife Nicole, son Michael, and son Stephen at his bedside. George was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, generous to all, a determined fighter for his beliefs, a rock star businessman, and a kind and caring person.

He is survived by his wife Nicole Verreault Rost; son Michael Rost and daughter-in-law Michelle; son Stephen Rost and daughter-in-law Jennifer; his two grandchildren Alexander and Colleen, and great-granddaughter Astrid. George was born on June 13, 1943, in Delaware County Pennsylvania to his parents George Matthew Rost and Mary Carney Rost.

On Saturday, June 10, 2023, services for George will be held at 10 am (calling hour) and 11 am (mass) at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church, 7820 Bridgeport-Minoa Road Bridgeport, N.Y. 13030. His favorite charity was the Food Pantry in Bridgeport NY. If you would like to support this cause, online donations can be made on the Food Bank of CNY's website: https://give.foodbankcny.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1400&1400.donation=form1 . After entering the gift amount, please check the honor/memorial box to fill out George's name.

George was the ultimate family man. Whatever his family needed, he gave them. While he traveled extensively for work, his favorite place was always wherever his family was. His family extended to those in need, and he made sure those who crossed his path were taken care of. It is what his father would do. He continued and expanded upon the tradition.

A myth exists that only children are selfish. George was an only child, and he shattered that myth. His generosity was abundant. His heart was huge, and he wanted the best not only for his immediate family but for all those who came into his life and even those he did not know.

He was very big on education. He knew that with a good education, a person could have the tools to succeed in life, whatever that meaning of success was to the person. He financially and emotionally supported his sons where each would earn a master's degree in their field of choice. He financially and emotionally supported many family members and friends who would earn their degrees and lead successful lives.

He was generous in his donations to various charities including the Food Pantry of Bridgeport, NY, and various Catholic churches wherever he lived. In his donations, he mostly gave anonymously, not looking for credit but only to help others. He was generous with his time. While immunocompromised, he sold tickets for the Duck race raffle for St Francis of Assisi Church during the pandemic. If anyone had a problem or concern, he would always take a call, even if he was working at the office. He put others before himself every minute of every day. He was happy seeing that others were happy.

If you needed someone in your corner, he was the person you wanted. He was a fighter, especially against the disease that first attacked him in 1999. He was not going to give up. He traveled to Boston to get the best care he could. He exercised religiously. He drank less alcohol and ate the way the doctor told him to eat. We can all learn a lot from him.

From the small catholic college of St Francis in Biddeford Maine to Vice President of Sales of Tootsie Roll Industries, he was a very successful businessman. And he did it the right way, with hard work and integrity. During his last days, everyone from the CEO of the company to his long-time administrative assistant sang his praises not only as a businessman but also as a quality human being who truly cared about the people he worked with. His co-workers called him tenacious. His boss called him the fire that was needed to help energize the whole organization. They remember his attention to detail and his coaching that enabled them to be successful and thrive. He enriched all of those who associated with him.

George will be missed by many, but his memories will be cherished by those who knew him. As he would tell family each time we returned home after visiting with him - May God bless every foot of the road you travel, always. George.