Richard R. Roosa

Mr. Richard R. “Rooster” Roosa, 70, of Lee, died Monday morning at Berkshire Medical Center.  Richard, affectionately known as Rich or Richie, was born on May 19, 1954, the son of the late William and Doris Bradway Roosa. He was raised and educated in Lee and was a graduate of Lee High School.  He was proud of his Lee Baseball playing days in which he was part of the championship team. 

Mr. Roosa worked at GE as well as the local paper mills as a machinist prior to his retirement. He was a skilled carpenter and jack-of-all-trades. Richard was an outdoors-man who loved hunting, fishing and gardening.  In his past-time he also enjoyed watching wrestling and sports with his grandchildren and bantering back and forth about the results. Rich was happiest when surrounded by friends and family and enjoyed bragging about his children and grandchildren’s latest accomplishments. He was their biggest fan; he did everything for them, never getting mad and always understanding. He shared a special bond with his daughter, Paris, always teaching, and showing her his love and support. He was quick with a joke and to lighten any mood. He lit up a room with the twinkle in his bright blue eyes and one of a kind laugh. 

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his daughter, Paris Stone and her husband, Micah, and their children, Cameren and Keagen Van Zandt and Madeline and Nash Stone; and his step-children, who he raised like his own and loved them each dearly: Melissa Salinetti (Ray), Gina Kirchner (Dave), Diane Williams (Tim), and William (Becky) Gop and their respective families. He also leaves behind his brother, Ralph Roosa and his wife, Diane; his sisters: Kathleen Hoctor, Nancy Gleason and her husband, Larry, Doris Sour and her husband, Arnie, and Winifred Roosa.

Besides his parents, Mr. Roosa was predeceased by his brother, William Roosa, Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be private, contact the family for details.

The family would like to thank Dr. Valle Harwood, Alicia Emerson NP, and Baystate cardiology for making the best of his final years. Their kindness, compassion and attention to detail was not unnoticed. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Chief Jeffrey Roosa Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.