Rev. John V. Rosse
July 23, 1928 ~ November 14, 2013
Resided in:
Rochester, NY
Rochester: November 14, 2013. Fr. Rosse is predeceased by his father, John
H. Rosse, mother, Catherine Rosse & stepmother, Ethel Rosse. He is survived by his sister, Barbara (Robert) Hauck; nieces and nephews, Michael (Deborah) Hauck, Thomas (Kathy) Hauck, James (Margaret) Hauck, David
(Pamela) Hauck, Catherine (James) Deignan, Karen (Henry) Meyer, John (Theresa) Hauck & Stephen (Ellen) Hauck; many grand nieces and nephews; great-grand nieces and nephews; loving friends.
Fr. Rosse was Ordained Priest on June 5, 1954 and served at St. Mary's in Canandaigua, St. Aloysius in Auburn, St. Joseph's in Cayuga, St. Andrew's in
Rochester and Holy Name of Jesus Church in Rochester. He was also the Chaplain at St. Mary's Hospital for many years. In his spare time, Fr. enjoyed traveling, golf and was an avid outdoorsman. He was also a member at Oak Hill Country Club.
Fr. Rosse will lie in state Wednesday, November 20th
4-7 P.M. at St. Margaret Mary Church 401 Rogers Parkway, Rochester NY 14617, with Evening Prayer
at 7 P.M. Father will lie in state on Thursday, November 21st 9-10 A.M., with his Funeral Mass at 10 AM. Fr. Joseph Hart, presiding. Interment will follow
Mass in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity in Fr. Rosse's memory. For more information, or to sign Fr. Rosse's online guestbook, please visit
MeesonFamily.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
You are my dear friend of 47 years. Mentor,supporter; you reaffirmed my faith. Always there during times of struggle and loss; always there with a positive thought to lift my spirits. There were many good times shared, wonderful memories that will sustain me. Rest well, dear friend, with Our Lord, for a life well lived.
Fr. Rosse was my favorite priest growing up, even though you’re probably not supposed to have favorites. His smile was contagious; he always ended his homilies telling us to share our smiles with others. His faith was so alive and his homilies shined the Light and Love of Christ. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.
I met Father Rosse 49 years ago when our daughter was born at St Mary’s Hospital. As a first time dad, Father sensed my anxiety and invited me to share a meal with him in his quarters. He discovered I needed to travel with my family to a new job. In a few weeks, and took the time to baptize my daughter while still in the hospital. I have never forgotten what he did. He was an exemplary priest.
I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER FR.ROSSE. HE WAS OUR CHAPLAIN AT ST. MARYS HOSPITAL WHILE I WAS A STUDENT THERE. [1958 TO 1961] MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY NOW.
I shall miss Fr Jack immensely. I’m so glad I was able to have breakfast with him just before he left for his trip. He was truly a special, holy man. Shelley Fess
Barbara and Family: Father Jack became a very dear friend, wonderful and inspiring mentor and a close confidant. His friendship will have a lasting presence on me and I am so fortunate to have had these past several years living under his wisdom. During this difficult time, I try to find comfort knowing he will remain in my heart throughout the remainder of my formation and will be with me when I am ordained. How blessed Jack is now, being able to see God face to face. Thank you for sharing him with me and so many others.
Father Jack was one of a kind.. a dear friend, a wonderful Pastor, an awesome person in every way. I will miss his good counsel and sense of humor. I’m sure God has a special place in Heaven for Father Jack- he truly lived a wonderful life and was an inspiration to all of us who loved him.
Gramps was a tremendous friend and mentor to us (the Church Slaves, as he so eloquently referred to us as). He had a profound impact on all of our lives, always leading by example and showing us the way. We loved you like family, and we will truly miss you, Gramps.
I knew Fr. Rosse as a very guy. He lived across the street with my very best friend,Barbara. After reading some of his obituaries,I can see that he hadn’t changed.I have always remembered him and his sister,Barb,in my heart over the years.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Father Rosse’s untimely death. On the occasions when he said mass at Margaret Mmary’s or Blessed Kateri at Christ the King, I truly enjoyed his homilies. He had a way of speaking, mixed with humor and a wonderful down to earth quality, that helped one understand the message he was preaching. He was truly a special man and will be sorely missed, He is with his Father in Heaven and in that we gain solace and comfort.
Many pleasant thoughts to Fr. Rosse who was my Chaplain from 1964-1967 while at St. Mary’s and myself and my parents used to attend St. Mary’s Chapel. Rest In Peace, Fr. Rosse. Sincerely, Jackie D’Ettore
Our family will always have fond memories of Father Rosse here at Saint Mary’s in Canandaigua. We were all blessed to have him in our midst. Now he will be enjoying the reward of being with the Lord in heaven. May you be comforted by our sincere thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Mary Genecco
Thank You Father Jack for the gift of all of your beautiful sermons which served to reinvigorate our faith and guided us to be more loving followers. The heavens must be rejoicing at your arrival.
Father Jack Rosse was a treasured friend of our family for over 25 years. He was a role model for all of us as he lived his faith so beautifully. We enjoyed entertaining him in our home and having him marry our 3 children and baptize our grandchildren. He taught by example and loved unconditionally. His quick wit and humor enhanced his happy personality. I am most grateful for the strong ties Father Jack held with our children. He loved them and us as family and was even nicknamed Gramps as a true testament for his friendship. We will miss him deeply but keep him alive in our hearts forever. ’til we meet again, Father Jack!
Father Rosse’s passing saddens me, but knowing he is with Our Father enlightens me. The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time I will never forget. Why? Because, Father Rosse, with his abundance of humor, did not disappoint me on this day. Father Rosse was speaking to our young people preparing them for their lesson of the day. The lesson, he told them, was about Jesus entering Jericho when a man named Zacchaeus made his appearance by climbing a tree. Father, looking down to our young people, said, ‘maybe you will learn how to climb a tree.’ Then, realizing what he had said, he quickly covered his mouth and said, ‘maybe I should not have said that!’ Thank you Father, for the brief, but wondrous time I knew you!
I will sadly miss Father Jack for the many visits we had after mass. He would speak of his enjoyment for golfing at St. Andrew’s Links in Dunedin Florida where Barbara and I spend our winters. I so enjoyed Father Tim Horan and Father Jack teasing each other during the homily, in an entertaining way, for the parishioners. Their friendship for each other was apparent. Father Jack’s homilies were greatly enjoyed. He will be sadly missed, but will always be remembered for his humor.
Two things come to mind as I ponder Father Rosse’s gifts to us, the then members of St. Margaret Mary’s Church: First when he approached to give the sermon after the Bible readings were finished the congregation seemed to settle back as in an easy chair to enjoy his sermon. Second if he had said the Mass he always closed by saying, ‘The Mass is ended, Go in peace and remember to share your smile’.
As a Saint Mary’s Hospital Nurses’ Alum I must also mention what a privelege It was to have him say the Mass for us at each annual meeting. His great pleasure at being with the nurses from St Mary’s was wonderful to see. He admitted once that the date for our meeting went into his calender early in each year so he could plan his travels ‘around it’.
Rest in peace, Father. l will try to keep smiling.
We were regulars at the 4:15 pm Saturday Mass at St Mary’s, and became quick members of Father Rosse’s fan club. Easter vigil mass was especially enjoyable as Jack gave up alcohol for Lent but when the end of the vigil mass arrived, cocktails in his St Mary’s apartment were in order. He was a great guy.
Mike and Bev Naylon, Reston VA
Fr. Rosse was a dear friend for over 50 years from the time we met at St. Mary’s hospital. We shared many memories. He married Nancy and I and baptized our children. For many years we met with him and several friends for brunch following 11 O’clock mass. We engaged in several weight loss contests. When I was in in Vietnam, I met with him and Fr. Reinhardt in Saigon. He was a great man and priest
I’m 7 years late, but I have to say Fr Rosse was one of the nicest, most understanding, humans on the planet. He baptized me and my brother after we were adopted and we both performed our first Eucharist at Holy Name. I still remember his kind eyes and his sense of humor. A real one of a kind.