Leo Elias Rossi, passed away at the age of eighty-six on the evening of Monday, April 30, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco. Leo was a loving husband to Ines Rossi, and a proud father of Gabriella Rossi, both of whom preceded him in death. Monica, his second daughter, died sadly shortly after birth.
Born on September 25, 1931 in North Beach, San Francisco, he was the endearing son of Italian parents Rita and Ferdinando Rossi originally from the Loneriacco di Tarcento province of Udine, Italy. He was preceded in death by them and four of his five siblings: Peter and his wife Barbara, Fernanda, a Salesian Sister and Joe, a Salesian brother. All three were born in Italy and grew up in North Beach.
Like Leo, John whose wife Diane is also deceased, was born in North Beach, as was his only surviving sister, Mary Ferlizza, still residing in San Francisco and whose husband Marino is also deceased. They were not simply the Rossi family, but influenced by the community in Sts. Peter and Paul became also a “Salesian” family in their own right.
Leo is survived by a number of nieces and nephews, namely Richard Rossi and his wife Linda, Gail Figoni and her husband Mel, Daniel Ferlizza, Deanna Ferlizza, Debra Rossi and David Rossi, who mourn his leaving us. To all of these and to his grand-niece, Jennifer Rossi and his grand-nephew, Stephen Rossi he will always be the affectionate and hard-working “Zio”. The Catholic faith was not simply a belief system for Leo, it was in effect his life and even more so as he mourned the loss of family members.
He was an active member of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in North Beach, singing and eventually becoming Choir Director of an outstanding group of people. In his later years, his wife and himself were faithful parishoners of the Corpus Christi community where he became known for his willingness and enthusiasm to serve as lector on so many occasions.
Leo Rossi will be missed for his capacity to build community around him. His neighbors and friends continued to express their concern about his physical decline in the past eighteen months. Even the gentleman who delivered his meals at home, four days a week felt at ease and loved by “sir” Leo.
We have all lost a little of the light and love that makes our world a worthy place to live in by Leo’s passing. May he live in eternal light and love and peace. Garden Chapel Funeral Home are making it possible on, Tues.
, May 8 at 7pm at the Church of Corpus Christi, 62 Santa Rosa Ave. , SF preceded by viewing from 6 to 6. 45 pm.
Leo’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Church of Corpus Christi, Wed. , May 9 at 10am to be followed by the interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
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