09/08/2008

Armond V. Rossi

September 6, 2008

OFDA received word this afternoon that there will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:30 am Thursday, September 11, 2008, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown, preceded by a 9:30 am prayer service held at The Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street, Boardman, for attorney Armond V. Rossi, 85, renowned area funeral director who was peacefully called home on Saturday, September 6, 2008.

Armond was born June 8, 1923, in Youngstown, and was a life-long area resident. He was the son of the late Louis Rossi Sr. and Isabella (Guglielmo) Williams.

He followed in the family business to continue the tradition and legacy with his brother Louis Rossi Jr. as a funeral director and embalmer with the Rossi Bros. Funeral Home up until 2007. He then was an employee but mostly a mentor to Chelsey Santucci, his two nephews Louis and Joseph Rossi and the entire staff of The Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home on Market Street, to help carry on the traditions, caring service and love he has been accustomed to all his life.

Armond was a proud graduate of East High School, received his A.B. degree from Youngstown College, his Funeral Directors & Embalmers Degree from Cleveland College of Mortuary Science where he was president of his class, and a Law Degree (LLD) from Youngstown State University.

Armond was extremely active with the community where he belonged to and was past president of the Tri County Funeral Directors Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Arco Club, Amerital Club, Youngstown Sons of Italy Lodge 858, Julian Altier Lodge I.O.S.O.I. Alphi Phi Delta Alumni, Youngstown State University Alumni, YSU Penguin Club as a Trustee, Mahoning County Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, ITAM Post 3, Wolves Club Den VI, Latin Culture Foundation, Knights of Columbus third and fourth Degrees Council 3144, Firefighters Pension Board and the Cardinal Mooney Hall of Fame Committee and Athletic Boosters. Armond was a life-long active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown, where he was an usher, on the Finance Committee, Parish Council, Vestibule Club and Festival Committee. He was a United States Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II.

The honors that Armond has received were having the highest GPA in Embalming School up until 1947, being honored for being the first Chairman of The Diagnostic & Evaluation Clinic, named Cook of the Week by The Vindicator for his Italian cuisine, honored for his countless work with the Wolves Club, and has been named Man of the Year by Ciao Productions, and was Italian Business Man of the Year from the Greater Italian Fest.

He leaves his wife of over 67 years, Alice M. Sakovich, whom he married in 1941; his three children, Adrian A. (Mary) Rossi, Armond A. (Jane) Rossi and Anne Marie Jarrett ; six grandchildren Alex (Lindsey), Adam, Cecilia, John Rossi and Aaron (fiance Kristin Walther) Jarrett; two great-grandchildren, Mia and Dominic; a sister, Elvera Cannatti; and two nephews, Joseph (Marcella) Rossi and Louis (fiance Jody) Rossi, along with a host of cousins and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Rossi Jr.; an aunt, Marie Williams; and an uncle, Patrick L. Williams.

Friends may call from 1 to 8 pm Wednesday, September 10 and from 8:30 to 9:25 am Thursday, September 11 at The Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street, Boardman. Entombment will take place at Calvary Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Trumbull County American Legion Post.

In lieu of flowers, material contributions can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio, 44512, or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Education Fund, 343 Via Mount Carmel, Youngstown 44505, in Armond's name.