Obituary
Thomas “Tom/Tommy” Rosa, 75, passed away on November 26, 2023, in Fort Myers (Cape Coral), Florida. He was born on November 23, 1948, in Summit, New Jersey and grew up on a small farm in Berkeley Heights with his parents, Michael “Mike” and Madeline, and his three siblings. At a young age, Tommy learned about hard work and responsibility; he was up early each morning tending to the chickens and working in the garden. He knew how to drive a tractor by age nine and hated cleaning the chicken coop. In his spare time, he loved playing baseball, riding motorcycles, spending time with friends, and even sneaking into the “Village” in New York City. He attended Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield to study horticulture, so he could work alongside his father with the family landscaping business. Outside of school, he attended various local dances and functions, which is where he met Maureen Yannotta, who later became his wife.
Tommy continued to work hard following in his father’s footsteps and gained employment with the US Postal Service in Madison, then Florham Park, and even worked part time at a local Mobil station. After he and Maureen married, they had a daughter, Lauren, and lived in Plainfield, then Gillette. While in Gillette, they added a son, Jeffrey, to their family and moved to New Providence. Tom continued to work for the post office and eventually, took over his father’s landscaping business. In 1981, Tom was able to get the ‘dream’ transfer and moved the family to Coral Springs, Florida. After about 18 months, the couple divorced, and Tom became the primary custodian of both children. He took the single parent role seriously, attending sporting events, activities, and always putting their needs before his own. In 1992, Tom met Valerie and her young daughter, Paige. They became great friends and eventually lifelong partners for more than 30 years. Together, they enjoyed their children’s milestones, road trips, cruises, gambling excursions, Broadway shows and concerts, and most importantly, time with friends and family. After his retirement from the Deerfield Beach Post Office in 2002, he and Val moved to Fort Myers.
In 2009, a highlight of his life was being in the delivery room, while his granddaughters were born. He adored those girls, and they affectionately called him PePa. He doted on them: taking them to the zoo, giving rides on his riding mower or motorized scooter, pulling them in a wagon, watching cartoons, treating them annually to Disney on Ice, playing board games, and teaching them to play gin rummy.
Tom is survived by his loving partner, Valerie Vallely and her daughter, Paige Pacheco, former spouse, Maureen Herold, their children, Jeffrey Rosa (spouse, Tocia Hamlin-Rosa) and Lauren Rosa, and twin granddaughters, Emmi and Camryn Rosa. He was an incredible father and grandfather, who always put his children first. He touched the hearts of many with his kindness, sense of humor, willingness to help others, and unwavering love of his family. His honesty, trustworthiness, quick wit, love of teasing, and ability to listen made him a person others reached out to for guidance, support, assistance, encouragement, and sometimes, a dose of reality. He was the epitome of “if you need anything, just let me know” and was always ready to jump in and help. Tom was a beloved partner, father, grandfather, and friend and will be deeply missed. His memory will forever be cherished.
I miss you dad. . . .Thank you for everything. I will cherish the myriad of memories like the daddy/daughter dates, coaching my softball team, all the late night talks, cuddling to watch tv, step by step instructions to help me fix something, your advice whether I wanted it or not, staying in my hospital room after I had the girls, and always just like grandpa, you and he said, "love you baby".
You will be very missed Tom!!
RIP.
Thank you for all your help, love you.
Scott