Rudolph “Ed” Rossi, 89, of Farnum Pike, Smithfield, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at his home. He was the husband of Mary (Dalton) Rossi. They married in 1950. He was born in North Providence and was raised there, a son of the late Antonio and Carolina (Ibello) Rossi.
He was a 1928 graduate of the Providence Trade School, concentrating his studies in the automotive, mechanical and electrical trades. After his schooling, he enlisted for two years in the Merchant Marines working both in the engine room and as a deck seaman.
During World War II Mr. Rossi worked at the Walsh-Kaiser Shipyard, Providence, as an assistant general foreman in the Outside Machinist Department in charge of installing and startup of all engine room and deck machinery, guns and armament. A total of 56 ships were built during that period he worked there including Liberty, British Corvettes and combat cargo ships.
After the war he became part owner and service manager for Greystone Motors on Waterman Avenue, Smithfield (a Kaiser-Frazer dealership) and in 1954 he became plant engineer and part owner of a newly formed company called Pak-All Products. The company converted plastic film into both clear and printed plastic bags, and laminated items. He also researched and developed new products and techniques with the film. The company was later sold to Union-Camp.
Mr. Rossi then became an independent consultant of the flexible packaging and converting trade specializing in the manufacturing of plastic bags and its machinery. He traveled extensively to the Caribbean and Canada as a consultant during that time.
Besides his wife, Mr. Rossi leaves six daughters, Jean Sally and her husband, Neil, of Smithfield, Sandra Boyes of Bedford, Va.; Rosalind Newton of North Kingstown, Helen Arruda and her husband ,Jack, of Barrington; Nancy Pheonix and her husband ,Cliff Kivella of Richland, Mo.; Janice Borodezt and her husband, John, of Brooklyn, Ct, a son, Robert T. Rossi and his wife, Paula, of Smithfield. He is also survived by two sisters, Nancy Case of Cranston and Jay Cooper of Detroit, Mi., 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. He was the father of the late William Rossi, Grandfather of the late Paul Rossi, brother of the late Mary Walker, Dolly Carl, John and Anthony Rossi.
Visitation to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Thursday 4-7pm in the *ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Funeral and burial will be private. Please omit flowers. If you need a ride to the visitation please call Anderson-Winfield Chauffeured Services at 401 949 5557