Frank "Fong Fong" Rose, 74, of New Bedford died Friday May 17, 2002 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Johnnie Mae (Fox) Rose of New Bedford, and son of the late Alfred and Mary (Francis) Rose.
Mr. Rose was born in New Bedford and had lived in New Bedford for all of his life.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
He was formerly employed as a merchant seaman for the Exxon Corporation and Gulf Oil until his retirement.
Mr. Rose was an active outreach member of his community and received the Humanitarian Award from the City of New Bedford for feeding the neighborhood children. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.Mr. Rose was a member of Teamsters Union, the National Maritime Union, the Merchant Mariners Club and the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II.
Survivors include his wife; 4 sons, Keith Baptiste, Frank Rose, Jr., Adam Rose and Michael Gomes, all of New Bedford; 5 daughters, Paula Gonsalves, Dona DeBurgo, Marlene Rose, and Elsie "Pebbles" Gomes, all of New Bedford and Sandra Andrade of South Yarmouth; his friend and longtime companion, Virginia Gomes of New Bedford; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.He was the father of the late Blaine Fuller, and brother of the late Cracker Rose, Pabst Rose, Louis Rose, and Rosemary Rose.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday May 21, 2002 at 9 AM in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford on Monday May 20, 2002 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.