Ronald Ray Rossi

Ronald Ray Rossi

11-19-33 to 4-28-23

Following a brief illness, the Rossi Family lost our patriarch April 28, 2023.  He lived his 89 years full of integrity and love for his family.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and June Rossi and his beloved daughter, Melanie Rossi.  Ron is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy Wade Rossi and his children Giovanni(Gail) Rossi, Tami Welsh, Lance (Margaret),Rossi  and Maria (Marty) Wigtion. He felt blessed to be loved by his grandchildren: Christiana (Steve) Wilson, William Welsh, Gregory Rossi, Matthew Rossi, Cassie Wigtion, Michael Rossi, Nick (Shalee) Wigtion, Andrew Rossi, Timothy(Katie) Rossi, Elizabeth Rossi, Austin Rossi, Christina Rossi, and James (Monica) Rossi.  His great grandsons brought him great joy:  Griffin and Titus Welsh, Elijah, Oliver, and Alexander Wigtion, Christopher and Kevin Wilson, and Anthony Rossi.

He was a 7th generation Californian with branches of his family arriving around the time of the Gold Rush. He grew up in Big Pine in a very modest house without indoor plumbing and electricity that was a single wire run from his grandmother's house and remembered one of his first chores as a child was hauling water from the creek for daily use. He was the first member of his family to graduate high school and went on to get a masters degree. He served in the U.S. Army at Camp Desert Rock from 1953 to 1955 as a Chief Chemical Supply Specialist. In 1955 he was a participant in Operation TEAPOT, a U.S. atmospheric nuclear test series conducted at the Nevada Test Site and more than a few times was within less than a mile of ground zero to the nuclear testing.  He married Nancy, and ended up at China Lake because they were desperate for teachers and hired him on the spot in 1959 at China Lake School District when he didn't yet have a teaching credential and he stayed for 45 years.  He continued his education taking classes on weekends and summers while working full time and raising five children and advanced to serving as a child psychologist and Pupil Personnel Services director for Sierra Sands School District. His passion was still always teaching and helping at-risk youths.  He has been a member of St. Ann Parish for almost 60 years.

Dad's favorite pastime was any activity that involved spending time with his family. He spent many hours playing piano, singing and painting. He had a passion for genealogy and left his children a very extensive history of their ancestry. He loved taking us on amazing family vacations that provide memories we will always treasure.  He took joy in decorating the house for holidays to provide extra fun.  His yearly scavenger hunts were legendary.  He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and is already sorely missed for his unwavering support and kindness.

His was a life very well lived.

A rosary will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church Thursday May 18 ^th at 10am with a funeral mass to follow at 10:30am. Approximately 11:30am burial will be at Desert Memorial Park.

Reception will take place following the burial at the Monsignor Kevin Cleary Parish Hall at St. Ann Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to St. Ann Catholic School in Ridgecrest, CA.