Joseph B. Rosa, 81, of Delhi, passed away on Friday, Feb. 18, in Oneonta.
Born on Aug. 1, 1940 in Delhi, Joe was the son of the late Joseph and Gladys (Eignor) Rosa.
Sgt. Rosa proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1958 until his honorable discharge in 1961.
He returned to the area and became a respected and trusted heavy equipment operator, which led to Joe owning and operating Delhi Rock Drilling, a company he continued to operate right up to his passing. Mr. Rosa was a 58-year member of the Operating Engineers Union (Local #158). Joseph had a true passion for his work and often he would be the first and only one called to do work that others could not.
Joseph was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing and hunting; one of his greatest thrills was hunting elk out west. He also enjoyed sports, cheering on his sons over the years in high school and helping on his son’s race car pit crew.
Besides his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his brothers Hugh Rosa and Fayal Rosa; and his sisters Bette Braymer and Vivian Carpenter.
Joe is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen (Wood) Rosa of Delhi; sons David (Heather) Rosa of Delhi, Eric Rosa of Niskayuna, Edward (Stephanie) Rosa of Delhi and Gary (Denise) Rosa of Delhi; nine grandchildren, Geoff (Liz), Courtney, Carenza, Trevor, Alexis, Deric, Lauren, Logan and Jakob; two great-granddaughters, Emma and Celia; sister-in-law Marion Rosa, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours will be held from 11-1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at the First Presbyterian Church, 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, where a funeral service will follow at 1 with the Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays officiating. All are invited to join the family for a reception at the Delhi Fire Hall following the service. Spring burial with full military honors will be held at Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Joe may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Delhi Fire Department.
Visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Rosa family.
