John Edward Rossa's Obituary
John Edward Rossa, born in Hammond, Indiana, November 19, 1946, passed away November 27, 2022, comfortably and peacefully in Spring Lake, Michigan.
John was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana by his parents Leo and Katherine (Knapik) Rossa. After high school he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. Once he completed his education at Purdue, he enlisted in the United States Army. He worked as a Foreign Affairs Operations and Intelligence Assistant during which time he received the National Defense Service Medal for his expertise. Upon completion of his service with the Army John went on to obtain his master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Certificate of Special Education from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. John took great pride in his education from both universities. He often wore baseball caps and t-shirts as a badge of honor and conversation piece for his Alma Maters. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, but especially football for his teams and was one of their biggest fans. Go Boilermakers, Army, and Chippewas!!
John's education led him into a career that he loved. He was employed as a school psychologist for the Fruitport School System in Fruitport, Michigan for nearly 40 years before retiring. He took great care in placing special needs children in the classes they needed and would benefit from throughout their education. Often, in his spare time, John would counsel children and their families at Love In Action, Grand Haven, Michigan. He felt privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many children, teens, and their families during his career. He reminisced about his work often, and the many lifelong friendships he made along the way, especially Walker and Gayle Parmelee.
Grand Haven was a place he called home for most of his life and John found great solace in the beauty and familiarity that it offered him. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid runner, bicyclist, and hiker, but his greatest joy was camping. He traveled throughout Michigan and the continental U.S. to find “just the right campsite.” He shared many stories about his “favorite road trip” to Zion, Bryce, and Arches National Parks in Utah and wished he could have visited just one more trip there. As John's health declined in recent years, he was greatly comforted by the care and love he received from the staff at American House Assisted Living Center in Spring Lake, Michigan. John especially looked forward to his visits from 5th grader, Elana Holt. She always had a smile and conversation to share and made time for him whenever she was visiting American House. He spoke highly of the friendship he had formed with her and her mother, Demetria. He also gave great appreciation to his friend and advocate, Denise Burgan. John often wished others in failing health, regardless of the reason, would be treated with as much respect and honor as she gave him.
A GRAVESIDE SERVICE, will military honors, will be held Friday, December 16, 2022, at 1pm at the Lake Forest Cemetery, 1304 Lake Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. In memory of John and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Covenant Life Church Care Ministry, a program that provides care to those that are homebound and in need via ghclc.org/give, or by calling their office at 616-847-2540, or text the amount you would like to give to 616-208-4480. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Sign the online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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