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PETER ROSE Obituary
Peter J. Rose
Peter J. Rose, of Fredericksburg, VA, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019 after a battle with cancer. With his loving wife, Mary and trusted guard dog Luci by his side, Pete won out his first fight with cancer but ultimately could not outlive Keith Richards as he had hoped to do. Pete brightened every room he entered, lifted every person he knew, and never met a Guinness he wouldn't consume. Born in New York and raised in Maine, Pete arrived in Washington, DC. in the early 1980's with little in his pockets and nothing but a suitcase. Working his way through American University, Pete always kept his eye on politics and ultimately embarked on a career on Capitol Hill as a staff member to members of Congress from Texas, Michigan, New York, and Maine. He went on to found his own government affairs firm and become one of Washington's premier defense lobbyists; known, trusted, and respected by his peers and those he encountered throughout his career. Having met Presidents, Governors, Senators, and Representatives, and even befriending a few along the way, Pete treated everyone he met equally and made friends wherever he went. Gadfly, raconteur, and man about town, Pete kept his interests varied, like the Renaissance Man he was. However, his heart always fell back on the Rolling Stones, Guinness beer, crabs, his wife Mary, and his passion for animals. Pete's accomplishments are many and significant, but his greatest is his impact is on the lives of others. Pete lives on through those who loved him and those whose lives he touched. Pete is survived by his wife, Mary Maher-Rose; mother Elizabeth (Betty) Rose; brothers, Jeffrey Rose and Keith Rose; and sisters, Elizabeth (Beth) Burbeck, Janet Rose, and Anne Kunzinger. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Harold Rose; brother, Paul Rose; and sister, Kathleen Rose. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2019 at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fredericksburg. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Fredericksburg Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 10819 Courthouse Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22408.Online guestbook is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.
Memories and Condolences
for PETER ROSE
7 Entries
Alice Harvey, Daughter of Marjorie Harvey (nee Rose)
July 8, 2024
It´s virtually impossible to believe that it´s been five years since Pete left us here without him. He was back then, and remains now, one of the most memorable people I have ever met, and I´m grateful I had the opportunity to spend time with him. He was, to put it mildly, a true original. Would surely like to be able to magically gather at a big DC party with Pete and his families (all of them) while he held forth on the subject of November 2024. I bet he´d wipe the floor up with those who deserve it most.
Love you, Pete.
Lou Gatti
July 8, 2021
Still think about you from time to time. So many great memories......
John Brown
July 19, 2019
I lost a great friend. Someone who took me under his wing so I could strive to do better on Capitol Hill and beyond. Pete Rose you'll be missed by a lot of us who knew you. Hopefully you're somewhere playing Stones tunes on your guitar, drinking a Guinness and having a shot of Jameson's chilled. RIP brother, I'll see you on the flip side.
Jack LOONEY
July 19, 2019
I am sorry that I will not be in Virginia for Pete's homecoming. He was an amazing person. Pete and I were young and foolish in 1980's Washington DC.
Before becoming a great consumer of his beloved Guinness, he was a young Hill staffer who was making ends meet as a bartender at my neighborhood watering hole, the American Cafe on Mass Ave. A lot of fun excursions were planned across that little bar. Trips to the track, a Rolling Stones concert, outings to bars where other friends worked and often, how to book safe passage to some of the places he lived in the 80's.
It was always an adventure going out with Pete, even if it was just to the Tune Inn.
Pete was a bright, energetic hard worker, polite, charming and a great friend to all he met. All of which led to his successful career.
Pete would always tell me that the best thing that happened to him was the rekindling of his relationship with the love of his life, Mary.
I will miss Pete.
Alice Harvey
July 15, 2019
In my first memory of my cousin Pete, he looked like a little chick, a sweet, tow-headed wonder. We were at our grandparents' house out on Long Island. Years later (probably in the early to mid/eighties), he, his brother Paul, and I got together one night in Washington and went out on the town. I seem to recall that Pete was in his college days. We had a great time and laughed a lot. He was a lovely child and a dashing and hopeful young man; when I had the opportunity to see him again in 2007, he seemed to have truly fulfilled his dreams. He was a gentle giant and still (always) dashing; I'm proud to be part of his family. My prayers and condolences go to Mary; his Mom and siblings; and his many relatives and friends. God bless.
Lou Gatti
July 14, 2019
I will miss Pete. Like so many others, I loved his humor. As the owner of the Quarterdeck, I got to see a lot of Pete. He went out of his way to mentor some of the young folks who worked there. Mark Carpenter comes to mind. Pete always had an encouraging word for all. Our friendship covered over 20 years. As we got older, and he married, we were phone buddies. I rode down in the limo many times on the phone. I will miss his calls. He always started with : " Captain, my Captain ". I missed the last 2 years because of surgeries to my leg. I am sorry I will not be able to catch up, at least for now. You always know what a true friend is when, even after time, you pick up right where you left off. My world is a lot smaller without Pete in it. Rest in peace my friend.
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Jul
19
Funeral Mass
10:30 a.m.
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Fredericksburg, VA
Funeral services provided by:
Covenant Funeral Service - Fredericksburg10830 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
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