Warren L. Rose met with his guardian angel one final time on July 28, 2024, as he waved him in to heaven. Born to John H. and Irma Rose on November 19, 1939, he was one of four boys and spent his childhood in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Benedictine High School and Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of ‘57, during which time he met our mother Barbara Marie McDonnell Rose, a St Gertrude student and a beautiful lady with a heart of gold and an infectious smile. They were married on March 5, 1958 and proceeded to relocate to Norfolk, Va. as their mutual love for the ocean dictated and where they successfully raised six children. Dad, devoted to his wife and dedicated to his family, started his professional career working the stock chalk board as a board marker in Richmond and quickly memorized all the stock abbreviations traded on the exchange. Upon settling into Norfolk, equipped with an incredible work ethic and determination to succeed and support his growing family, he took a position at the Investment Corporation of Virginia in the municipal bond department and rose to the position of executive vice president of the firm, retiring at the impressive age of forty-nine. He had a passion for the investment banking business and the municipal bond market and his reputation for honesty and integrity was legendary.
Dad loved some good fried chicken, country music, a good western, watching the PGA and any kind of meat so long as it was rare. Lord help the damn dimmy that overcooked a steak! He was a member and active for many years in the Knights of Columbus and the Alhambra and donated much of his time in those fund-raising opportunities to help others.
About the time he retired, he became interested in the family property known as the Young America Gold Mine of 1909. A beautiful piece of property in Goochland County, Virginia where his great grandfather was the mining Superintendent and his parents also resided for some time. It was there he created an amazing getaway for the family. Starting with the construction of a 7-acre lake and several golf holes situated amongst the beautiful landscape there was always a project to be completed. That work ethic that carried him through his professional career was quite evident until his passing. There was never a rock too big or a tree too tall that he wouldn’t take on. Even at 84 years old, a fallen tree had him out there, chainsaw in hand, ready to take on the removal. Both of our sisters have since built homes on the property and his dream of a place where family could gather and celebrate holidays together and the momentous occasions in our lives has become a reality. Our two sisters on the property know too well how intent he was if he set out to accomplish something. They have moved more rock on that property than most quarries as is evident by the rock walls and landscaping on the property.
With our mom’s early passing due to complications related to her many cesarean births (6 of them remember) there was a great sense of loss. She was quite the matriarch and her love for our family and the love she instilled between us all has carried on to this day. We are one close knit bunch because of it! Although a void so great cannot be filled or replaced, a wonderful lady named Suzanne came into Dad’s life and became a part of our family. They created some great memories traveling along the east coast for many years to Tybee Island, Key West and others while camping and making friends wherever they went. Once permanently settled in Rosewood she became part of the rock and tree moving crew. Some would call it an honor (we think???) She was instrumental in caring for Dad through his final days and remains in our lives. Dad was a devout Catholic and was committed to making sure all his children were well versed in the faith. If you know Dad at all you knew that anything good or lucky that happened to him was a direct result of his guardian angel’s intervention. I’m sure they make one heck of a team looking out for the rest of us!
He is predeceased by his parents John and Irma Rose, his 1st wife Barbara McDonnell Rose, and his three brothers, John, Larry, and Victor Rose.
He is survived by his second wife Suzanne, and all six of his children: Warren Lee Rose II, Joe Rose (Marta), Frank Rose (Cheryl), Barbara M. Roy (Paul), Micheal L. Rose (Holly), and Catherine C. Hall (Chris); Grandchildren Jackson Rose, Heather Rose, Frank Rose Jr., Ben Roy (Michelle), Courtney Stipa (Dave), Chris Roy, Caroline Roy, Michael Rose (Allie), John Rose, Matthew Rose, Christopher Hall, Harrison Hall and Alexander Hall and great grandchildren Madison Rose, John Lee (Jack) Rose. Charlotte Stipa, Layla Stipa, Joseph Paul Stipa, Sister-in -law Jan Rose and many other nieces and nephews.
There will be a rosary said at 9:30 a.m. and a Catholic Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on August 9th at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Palmyra, Virginia with a reception to follow. The interment will be at the Rosewood property and is private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Josephs Catholic Church, Columbia, Va.
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