Dr. Roscoe (Rocky) A. Rossi,
Born on February 21st, 1933 in Mount Vernon, New YorkPassed on August 30th, 2025. in Melbourne, Florida
Doctor Roscoe A. Rossi, 92, passed away on August 30th, 2025 at his home in Melbourne, FL. He was surrounded by his daughters Marilee, Roz and Victoria, his granddaughter Kayla, and his loving wife, Rosalind.
Born in Mount Vernon, NY, on February 21st, 1933, he was the son of Dr. John S. Rossi and Carol Rossi, and was the eldest of six children. He attended Catholic schools in New York and, after the family moved, in Miami, FL where he began to show an early, strong aptitude for the sciences, history and politics. In high school, he won a history medal as well as other awards, and was selected to actually fly in a captured WW2 Japanese Zero plane as a reward for his great academic work. He graduated from Peter and Paul High School in Miami, and was accepted into Georgetown University, where he completed his undergraduate degree in 3 years, Magna Cum Laude. He completed his studies at Georgetown Medical School with an MD.
He then interned at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he met Rosalind, the daughter of Dr. John Grieco and Marie Grieco in 1952, and they were married in 1954. Upon finishing his internship, he continued his education at Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts, where he completed his residency in Anesthesiology.
Upon graduation from medical school, he joined the Navy and served at Naval bases from Massachusetts to Key West, where he was stationed during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also did Psychiatric work at Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts, and dual Anesthesiology & Psychiatry positions as needed at the base in Key West. He served a respectable seven years, and resigned as a Lieutenant Commander.
From there he accepted a position as an Anesthesiologist at North Shore Hospital on Long Island, NY, where he practiced for 38 years, and was known as an excellent doctor and mentor. While there, he also became an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Cornell University, and taught many young doctors, with a laudable option to become a permanent professor at the University, though he ultimately chose to remain on Long Island for the settled family’s best interests.
Upon retiring, he moved to Melbourne with his wife. Dr. Rossi enjoyed travelling, especially in their RV as they’d done for many happy years with their children, stimulating reading, including History and Physics, and of course delightful family gatherings where he always had jokes to share. He also became active in the community, joining the Knights of Columbus, where he became a Fourth Degree Knight, as well as serving two terms as President of the Harbor Edge Condominium HOA.
Although retired, he continued to study Anesthesiology and was recertified in 1995, even though it wasn’t required for him to do so. He also enjoyed reviewing the rapidly evolving discipline research, and attended training conferences to keep up with the latest advancements.
He and Rosalind had been married for 71 years and had seven children, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, and beloved son Roscoe or “Ricky” (Odelia). He is survived by his wife Rosalind, and six children, Dr. John (Sofi), Marilee (Scott), Rosalind, Michael (Monica), Eva, and Victoria (Lou).
He is also survived by his grandchildren, John Rossi, Drs. Robert Rossi (Primrose), Rose Rossi, Jason Somerville, Arielle Somerville, Dr. Dania Rossi, Jacob Kleinberg (Katie), Alexandra Anderson (James), Douglas Redgate (Jackie), Roscoe “Ross” Dillman (Shaina), and Michaella Dillman.
Dr. Rossi was a great man who left a living legacy. He made the world a better place by living a Godly life dedicated to God, his Country, his patients, and his family. He was a humble genius, who genuinely cared about people. He was faithful, kind, loving, friendly, and generous.
Funeral Mass will be held at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic, FL beginning at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 27th , 2025.
The Celebration of Life Reception will be held following Mass the same day at the Clubhouse at Paramount, 1435 S. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne, FL beginning at 12:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that you contact the Church listed above at: (321) 773- 2783, and make donations in his name to have prayers said for him at Mass. The donors may choose to receive a Mass card with the number of Masses being offered for him.
He was loved and respected by all who knew him.
He could not have been a better husband, father, or doctor.
