Joseph M. Rose
It's been said that great things come in small packages; never let it be said that Jay wasn't small. Jay's size was overshadowed by his dynamic personality and craving for involvement. No matter how busy, Jay always had time to talk and be a friend. Jay will always have a big part in our in our memory of West Point and F-2 Zoo.
- Cadet Glee Club 4,3,2,1
- Cadet Acting Troupe 3
- Catholic Chapel Choir 4,3
- CPRC 2
- Dialectic Society 100th Night Show
- Scoutmasters' Council 2,1
Jay's Obituary
Life Well Lived
Joseph M Rose, Jr., 69 years of age, passed on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at home in Camas, WA.
Life Began
Joseph “Jay” was born in Oakland, CA to the late Joseph Mervin Rose, Sr. and Eleanor Brenda Cenicola. He was the oldest of two children, survived by his sister, Janice Lynn Rose.
Education
Jay graduated from the Charter Oak High School in Covina, CA, University of California, Riverside, and the prestigious United States Military Academy West Point in New York.
Career
LTC Joseph M Rose, Jr. retired from the Army after 21 years of service. He was stationed in Germany, Italy and Panama.
Jay was the former Commander of the 509th Signal Battalion, Vicenza Italy. He shared many great memories and stories with his life in Italy. Jay was celebrated and honored at the 20th anniversary of the 509th Battalion at the King Henry, the English restaurant just outside Vicenza on the hills of Mount Berico.
Jay was also the former Commander of the 56th Signal Battalion S-3 shop, Operations in Corozol, Panama. He also operated his own bagel shop, named “Mervin’s Bagels” and had a parrot that accompanied him also named, “Mervin”.
When Jay retired from the Army in 1999, he traveled back to the west coast from whence he began his life and accepted a position at Electric Lightwave, Inc., where he met his bride Deborah Gristock and they were married July 6, 2000.
During his marriage, Jay and his wife, Deborah worked together and established a veteran owned Department of Defense contracting company together named “ROSETECH Solutions” from which they both retired in 2018.
Family
Jay leaves cherish loving memories to his colleagues, friends and family. He is survived by his wife Deborah Gristock-Rose, his sister Janice Lynn Rose, step-children, Tymarie Lynn Serrano, Christopher David Tarr, Jayson Michael Connell, Justin Don Connell, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, favorite cousin Michelle Malbera and a host of other cousins and friends.
Jay had many interests— he enjoyed salmon fishing, gardening, canning and cooking the bountiful harvest from the garden (as evidenced by his “What’s in the Rose’s Kitchen?” Facebook posts), and especially loved the cross-country trips with his wife, Deborah. Jay spent hours mapping out routes to include the “Biggest something to see” in the USA, reaching out to friends to visit along the way and visited 46 national parks out of 63 national parks in the United States, collecting walking stick medallions to put on their walking sticks. These activities brought him much joy and peace in life. Jay’s favorite way to spend his time with his beloved family was by being the mischievous grandpa that his grandchildren will no doubt have many stories and memories to share of how "Grandpa Rules"!
Jay believed strongly that education builds great character and expands the horizons of one's life as they invest in themselves with knowledge. He planned multi-generational trust programs for his family to continue to learn and invest in themselves, working towards making this world a better place for generations to come.