George A. ROUSSEAU

Died of cancer July 6 in Petaluma with his family at his side. He was 88. Born in Escondido, California on September 28, 1924, George moved to Santa Rosa in 1931 with his parents and siblings. A graduate of Santa Rosa High, he joined the US Navy in 1942 and served for three years, and earned a private pilot's license soon after. He later worked as a tree surgeon for Utility and Sohner tree service companies, as well as his own part time tree service, and as a custodian-groundsman for Petaluma City Schools. He married Ruth Spandri Rousseau in 1951 and they have lived in Petaluma since then. He built his own sailboat in the 1960's and frequently sailed Tomales Bay. In retirement he earned an Associate Degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. His main passion was music, and he played in municipal bands in Petaluma and Rohnert Park, as well as every year in the Penngrove Parade. A deeply religious man, he was a member of St. Vincent de Paul parish, Knights of Columbus, and Pro Life. An avid outdoorsman, he fought for access to Lafferty Park, and recently served on the Petaluma Tree Planning Commission until ill health intervened. In addition to his wife of 62 years, George is survived by his son Steven (Eliza), brother Eugene Rousseau of Oakland, sister Katherine Robinson of Santa Rosa, and numerous nieces and nephews. Private interment to be held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Petaluma, CA.