Michael Andrew Rose

Captain Michael A. Rose, US Navy (Ret.)
11/07/1938 - 06/03/1938
TOPSHAM- Michael Andrew Rose, 86, passed away from complications of cancer at his home in Topsham, ME on June 03, 2025. The son of Dr. Wilfred and Edna (Roberts) Rose, he was born at home at 96 Salem St., Lawrence, MA on November 07, 1938.
In 1942, Michael and his family moved to the San Francisco Bay area to be geographically close to his father, who was commissioned by the US Naval Reserve to serve as a physician in Pearl Harbor, HI, during WWII.
Michael graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, San Francisco, class of 1956. In 1961, he graduated top of his class from the California Maritime Academy, with a degree in Nautical Science, a Merchant Marine Officer license, and a commission as Ensign in the US Naval Reserve.
Michael married his wife, Diana Foley Rose, on February 28, 1987. They celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary this year, at Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth.
After serving two years with the Merchant Marine, Michael made the decision to enter active duty with the Navy, as a Surface Warfare Officer. His 30-year Navy career included an in-country tour in Vietnam, multiple sea tours including one command, and multiple shore assignments, including two commands and an assignment to the US Navy Postgraduate School, where he earned his master's degree.
His favorite assignment was Commanding Officer of the 438-foot Knox-class frigate, USS Gray (FF-1054). He said "My real love is the sea. I love going to sea. I find it hard to put into words the feeling I get when I take this ship out. The first time her nose dips into the waves, my adrenaline shoots sky-high and I really think I feel her come alive, throbbing beneath me."
In 1991, Michael retired from the Navy and embarked on a second maritime career as Vessels Manager, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco. He retired from Matson in 2006.
Michael joined the Sea Scouts in his youth, learning to sail in the challenging waters of San Francisco Bay. He developed a life-long passion for sailing. In his mid-twenties, he built a 19-foot sloop, "Kanigo", the first of his many beloved sailboats. Michael sailed for decades off the coasts of California, Washington and Massachusetts.
Michael and Diana joined Oakland Yacht Club (OYC) where they made wonderful friends and enjoyed years of boating adventures. Michael held many OYC board positions over the years, including Commodore. Michael and Diana remained members until their move to Topsham in 2022.
Michael was also an award-winning winemaker. He entered many of his wines in competitions at the California State Fair. While some wines were more successful than others, he recounted many happy memories of watching his kids foot-stomp grapes in the back yard. This enthusiasm for wine led him to a post-retirement position in the tasting room of Wente Family Estates Winery that lasted an enjoyable ten years.
In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by his four children, David Rose, Barbara Ehlert, Linda Rose (Doug Hahn) and Kevin Rose, and three grandsons, Christopher Devlin, Patrick Devlin and Tyler Rose, He is also survived by his niece Cheryl (Billy) Perry and nephew Brian (Trish) Klier and their families, and his former wife, Lynn Birmingham (mother of Kevin).
Michael was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Sheila Klier, and first wife, Judith Skau Rose (mother of David, Barbara and Linda).
A private graveside service will be held at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta, where he will receive full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Brunswick, ME, www.nchpp.org.
Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Stetson's Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 12 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Stetson's Funeral Home website, www.stetsonsfuneralhome.com.