Andrew Frank Rosa

Andy was born on January 20, 1944, to Joseph and Nancy Rosa in Bronx, NY. Not long after he was born, the Rosa’s moved to Stamford, CT along with his two sisters Gloria and Marie.

He graduated Stamford High School in 1962 and during that time he attended a going away party for his best friend. On July 31, 1961, he spotted a girl and told his best friend ‘That’s the girl I’m going to marry’. A week later he asked her to go steady and the rest was history.

In 1964, Andy proudly enlisted in the US Navy and served two years on the USS Searcher and USS Grand Canyon patrolling up and down the Atlantic Coast. After being honorably discharged Andy married the love of his life, Paula. Soon after they started a family and began his career at Clairol as a packaging engineer where he remained for the next 34 years until his retirement.

Andy loved westerns and always wanted to be a cowboy and upon retirement decided to move to retire in the Southwest landing in North Las Vegas. Andy started his second career as garden manager at a newly opened Target in North Las Vegas. Because of his outgoing personality he was asked to be ‘Santa’s Helper’ to the senior and special needs community for the next 10 years.

Always up for an adventure, whether it be riding a hot air balloon, climbing Ayers Rock in Australia, riding horseback in New Hampshire, riding the rapids down the Colorado River, joining a pit crew at an IRL race at the Las Vegas Speedway, touring the national parks in the southwest or driving cross country, it was always an adventure with tons of excitement and laughter. Andy loved to have a good time with everyone, especially his family. He enjoyed throwing parties, baking homemade bread, making his famous ‘love sauce,’ attending NASCAR races and going to NYC. The door was always open, friends that came to visit, left as family. Known to his family as Andrew, Andy to his friends and Mayor to the residents of the street, he was loved by all and will be missed.

Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life, his wife Paula (Pappolla), who he was married to for 57 years (together 62), their children Mark (Karin) Rosa, Lynn (William) Duffy, Jodi (Chris) Scally all of Trumbull, CT. Lynda Burns of Stamford, CT and Roberta Young of North Las Vegas, NV.

Poppi will be missed and lovingly remembered by his six grandchildren, Myles, Avery, and Evan Rosa, Ryen and Jenna Duffy, Brennan Scally, his sister Marie Van Alstyne, brother-in-law, Jake Pappolla and his wife Debbie and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Andy was predeceased by his granddaughter Julia Rae Scally and his sister Gloria Cacace.

Andy was a spirited man who had many passions: Grandchildren, Golfing and Gardening topped the list. The family believes that he drove into Heaven on his John Deere enjoying an ice cream sundae to be with his loved ones that left before him.

Services will be private, and a Celebration of Life will be held in Las Vegas, NV and Trumbull, CT at a time to be announced.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to local Veterans associations or Wounded Warrior Project.

May his memory be a blessing.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Rosa family.