Ralph L Rossi Sr.

Ralph L. Rossi, Sr., 84, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away on August 8, 2012. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on June 23, 1928. He is survived by his wife, June (Maffei) Rossi, children, Lauren Rossi (Bob Stone), Donna Rossi Mauro, and Ralph L. Rossi, Jr.; grandchildren Adam Sage, Christina Sage Simons (Jesse Simons), Scott and Kyle Mauro, and Alexandra, Zach and Olivia Rossi; and great-grandchildren Avery, Madison and Jacob Sage, and sister Angela (Rossi) Keena (Donald Keena). He is predeceased by his parents Gaetano and Olympia (Magnotta) Rossi, brothers Dario and Vito Rossi, and grandson, Michael Vincent Sage.

Mr. Rossi joined U.S. Tobacco Company in 1955, and after 38 years of distinguished service, retired in 1993. He was named to the Board of Directors in 1973 and in 1984 was elected as Vice-Chairman. He was the 1986 recipient of the Tobacco Industry Hall of Fame Award and in 1992 received the “Giant of the Industry” award. He was also the recipient of the 1989 National Conference of Christian and Jews National Human Relations Award.

Mr. Rossi dedicated himself to many philanthropic endeavors. He was the director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and served on the Boards of Directors of Father Martin’s Ashley, an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center, and the Southern Fairfield County chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He was an avid supporter of the Wilton, Connecticut YMCA and a director of the Center for the Arts in Stamford. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. In 1993 he established the Ralph L. Rossi and June M. Rossi Charitable Foundation, which continues to support advances in medical research, educational opportunities, the arts, and the end of homelessness.

His family and friends remember him as a most kind, considerate and giving person; a loving husband, father and friend.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Ignatius Loyola Cathedral, 9999 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael Vincent Sage Dragonheart Foundation, Inc., 11 Skyview Circle, Hamden, CT 06514, established in memory of Mr. Rossi’s grandson, Michael Vincent Sage, who died of a sudden cardiac arrest in 2010.