Ross A. Portolese

Ross A. Portolese, age 101, of Mishawaka, passed away with his family by his side on the morning of March 11, 2025. Ross was born on February 5, 1924, to the late Frank and Domenica (Trimboli) Portolese. He graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1942. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He served honorably as an airplane mechanic in Belgium, France, and England until his discharge in August 1945. On October 8, 1949, Ross married the former Ms. Mary Romeo at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Massena, New York. Following their honeymoon, the couple made Mishawaka their home. With the exception of his residency at St. Paul's since 2017, he was a lifelong son of Mishawaka. After 66 years of marriage, Mary preceded Ross in death on March 2, 2016.

He is survived by his children, Frank (Cora) Portolese of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Margaret “Margi” (Bob) Rossetti of Attleboro, Massachusetts, as well as his grandson, Mark Portolese of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Also surviving is his brother, Joseph (Beth) Portolese of Mishawaka, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings Mary Schmizzi, Tony Portolese, Pasquale “Pat” Portolese, Umberto “Bert” Portolese, and Michael “Mike” Portolese.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home in Mishawaka, with the recitation of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Monica Catholic Church in Mishawaka on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Entombment and military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery. For those unable to attend, a livestream of Ross’s Mass of Christian Burial will be available in real time in the window below.

Mr. Portolese served as an Indiana State Excise Police Officer from 1954 to 1981, retiring as a Major, a position created specifically for him. Throughout his career, he was highly respected by both the community and his colleagues, working tirelessly to create positive change for the residents of Mishawaka—one good deed at a time. In recognition of his service to the state of Indiana, Governor Otis Bowen honored him with the Sagamore of the Wabash award in 1979, a personal tribute given to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state or the governor.

Ross also served the City of Mishawaka for many years as a member of the Parks and Recreation Board, the City Planning Commission, the County Tax Review Board, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. He was a longtime member of St. Monica Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, as well as a member of the Di Loretto Society, the Elks Lodge of South Bend, the Italian American Heritage Society of Notre Dame, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 360 in Mishawaka.

In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking, planting flowers in his garden, and playing poker on Friday nights. He loved life, and people of all ages were drawn to him. Ross and Mary, along with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sara and Rocco Zappia, owned and operated the BK Drive Inn in Mishawaka from 1961 to 1988.

The Portolese family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of St. Paul’s Life Plan Community and the compassionate team at Caring Cove Hospice for their care and support during Ross’s life.

In his memory, donations may be made to the Indy Honor Flight Team at www.indyhonorflight.org/donate. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Ross’s life, or leave a message of comfort for his family, please follow the links provided on the Guestbook tab above.

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