John Schleifer Rose "Uncle John"

John Schleifer Rose was born on April 12th, 1926, in Lincoln District, Saint Ann, Jamaica, West Indies, to the late Alfred Rose and Jestina Phillips Rose. The family union produced his siblings, Donald, Effie, Hambert, Ragnold, Madeline, Lascelle, Eric, Lester, Steven, Maybell and Winston. John was the 7th child for his parents. After the passing of their father at an early age, eldest brother Donald took on the responsibility and role of the father in the family. Donald at the tender age of 15 years old left school, learned to be a man quickly, got a job to support his mother and all his younger siblings. They all lived in a loving close-knit family. Ever since John’s childhood, he was a gentle human being and loved his family. He attended Friendship Elementary School in Friendship district, Saint Ann, Jamaica, where he completed his elementary and junior high education. After John’s eldest brother Donald relocated to Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, with his mother and siblings, John worked as a bartender at Bonnie View Hotel. Upon the family returning to reside in Saint Ann, John continued to work as a bartender at Tower Isles Hotel in St. Mary, Jamaica. John’s life in Jamaica embodied many areas. Along with being a very loving brother, uncle, grand-uncle, cousin, and friend, he was an exceptional bartender in the hotel industry, a passionate worker, meeting people, and establishing lifetime friendship bonds. He was a TRUE GENTLEMAN, that shared a very special love and family bond with his nieces and nephews and treated them all as his own.

John Rose migrated to Canada in 1960. He worked as a bartender at Anoda Country Club. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Louise, and this union matured to over 56 years. Later, he migrated to the USA and continued his craft in bartending at Town Tennis Club in New York. On relocating to Palm Bay Florida, he gained employment as a Wafer Processor at Harris Corporation, where he worked until his retirement. Louise and John shared a daughter Kerry-Ann. John accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was baptized at Berea Baptist Church. He demonstrated a spirit of meekness and exemplified the highest degree of worship to God throughout his life. Bro John was a fervent Christian, an active member of First Baptist Church of Malabar and he sang on the choir. He demonstrated his love for The Lord through his singing, always humming, whistling and singing songs of praises to God. Some of his favorite songs were “What a friend we have in Jesus, How Great thou Art and On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,” among other songs. All who crossed his path, surely experienced the joy and peace of God’s love through his example.

All who visited the Rose’s home, would have experienced Mr. Rose love, cooking, brewing of tea and coffee, housekeeping skills, laundry skills, backyard fruit trees, vegetable garden and fellowship. Even when he was ailing, he expressed his desire to his wife to water his sorrel plants. That is the love he had for his gardening. Friends and family look forward to spending quality times with him, whether it be in the United States or on his visits to Jamaica. John Rose was the last living second generation of the Rose family union, his transitioning from this life represented the end of an era. John’s entire life embodied the word “gentleman,” who had an undeniable desire to preserve family relationships. Because of his inherent love for others, and commitment to family and friends, his compassionate qualities, coupled with his charisma, continued to draw all close to him. Mr. Rose, Bro John, Uncle John, has left with us fond memories to cherish, and many stories which will span the ages. He was the committed, humble, peaceful husband of Louise, dedicated family man, Christian servant of God, faithful father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, dear uncle to many nieces, nephews, cousins, cousin in laws and a host of other relatives, friends, and church family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.