GROVELAND: John P. "Jack" Rose, Sr. died Saturday, February 27, 2010 in the Merrimack Valley Hospice House surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Constance (Cross) Rose with whom he shared fifty-five years of marriage.
Born in Truro, Massachusetts on August 15, 1924, he was the son of the late William B. and Louise (Johnson) Rose. Jack was a graduate of Provincetown High School, and received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He continued his post-graduate work at Western New England College. He grew up in Truro and resided there for many years, before settling in Groveland in 1962. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He served in Normandy and landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day and continued on with the 1st Army into Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
He was employed as a quality assurance manager at the West Lynn Creamery in Lynn until his retirement in 1998. He had previously worked in the same position at the Whitings Milk Company for many years.
Jack was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 5004 and St. Patrick's Church, where he was active in the Holy Name Society. He also volunteered as a driver for the Elder Services of Groveland.
Most important in his life was his family and the times they spent together, especially traveling to Wellfleet to the family cottages. There are many fond memories that will be cherished in their hearts forever. He will be sorely missed by them all.
He is survived by his two sons and daughter-in-law, John P. Rose, Jr. and his wife, Kathleen of Lowell, Gerald P. Rose and his companion, Nancy Carter of Groveland; three daughters and sons-in-laws, Karen J. Zick and her husband, Robert of Plaistow, NH, Attorney Elizabeth G. Rose of Groveland, and Maureen L. Julian and her husband, Richard of Candia, NH; ten grandchildren, Robert, Kimberly, Michael, Jill, John, Matthew, Mark, Daniel, Amanda and Franklyn; five great-grandchildren, Giana, Anabelle, Cheyenne, John and Giacobbe; one sister, Ida Blackburn of AZ; two brothers-in-laws, Raymond Cross and his wife, Nancy of FL and John William Cross and his wife, Angela of PA; four sisters-in-laws, Georgette Cross of Haverhill, Dorothy Hayward and her husband, Kenneth of FL, Laura Elizabeth Quigney of Haverhill and Mary Rose Dergay of Chelmsford and many nieces and nephew. He was also predeceased by six brothers and sisters.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday in St. Patrick's Church, 114 Center St., Groveland at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill from 4 - 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Jack's memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Lawrence, MA 01843 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter, P.O. Box 845945, Boston, MA 02284-5945. Interment will be held in the St. James Cemetery, Haverhill.