Walter "Red" Rose of New City passed away peacefully on December 2, 2016 at home with his loving family around him. Walter "Red" was born in his grandmother's home (who was the homeopathic liaison for North Rockland at that time) on 9 High St. Garnerville, N.Y. on August 29, 1924. Walter was one of two children born to Mary Ellen and Walter Rose. As time and circumstances would have it, Walter moved to Haverstraw when he was a boy to live with his Aunt Harriet and Uncle John Stecz. Walter honored both of his families and provided end of life care for all the elders of his family. Walter was a Gunner's Mate 2nd Class in the United States Navy from 1943-1946 on the DE Charles J Kimmel and served in the Pacific Theater during WW II. Red was extremely proud of the service to his country. Walter always attended the reunions for his ship. At his passing he was one of the two surviving men from his ship. Walter was a Palisades Parkway Policeman from 1947 to 1972. He started as a patrolman and moved through the ranks to become Sergeant in 1963. Walter received the Rockland County Medal of Valor in 1971 and retired in 1972. During his time as a policeman he also was a Clarkstown School Bus Driver until the late 90's. Red as fondly known by so many because of his bright red hair was also very community minded. One of the founders of the New City Ambulance Corp. and the William E. De Bevoise Jr., NY Post 1682. Red was well known for his Friday night dinners that he cooked for 20 plus years to help build the post. He spent his life in both the Clarkstown and North Rockland communities through staying involved in his church St. Mary's of Haverstraw until it's closing, The Haverstraw Elks, Trinity Church of Garnerville (where he still cooked a mean pot roast and a corned beef for their bi annual dinners to honor his wife Doris) and attending St. Augustine's Church. Walter is predeceased by his wife Doris, Sister Sharon, two brother-in-laws, son's Keith, Chris and Theodore, daughter Mary Kay and granddaughter Sarah. Walter is survived by his sister-in-law Joyce Marsico of Pearl River (and her children), son Robert Rose (Joan- Life Partner) of Ft. Montgomery, daughter Maureen and her husband Tommy Pearce of New City, 2 daughter-in-laws, 6 grandsons and 9 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Higgins Funeral Home Main St. New City, N.Y. from 2-4 and 7-9 on December 13, 2016. A funeral will be held at St Augustine's Church on Main St New City, N.Y. on December 14, 2016 at 11am followed by the burial at Frederick Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery Brick Church Rd. Spring Valley NY. In lieu of flowers please send all donations to United Hospice of Rockland 11 Stokum Lane New City NY.

Published in The Journal News on Dec. 10, 2016