Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
October 26, 2010
The Colorado State Forest Service mourns the passing of long-time employee, Charles P. Rossi, at age 63. 'Charlie' passed away in his sleep at home on Oct. 19.
Charlie Rossi, Colorado State Forest Service.
Charlie was a heavy equipment mechanic in the CSFS Fire Equipment Shop for over 32 years. He was a key member of the CSFS team of mechanics who design, manufacture and refurbish wildland fire engines.
Charlie began his career with the CSFS in 1978 as a heavy equipment mechanic, working first at the CSFS Woodland Park District and later transferring to the Fire Equipment Shop on the CSU Foothills Campus in Fort Collins. He was dedicated to his job and his work was always marked by quality and attention to detail.
Charlie was born July 10, 1947, in New Jersey. He graduated from Mahwah High School in New Jersey and served in the U.S. Armed Forces. He and his family moved to Colorado in 1975 and Charlie began his career at the CSFS in 1978 as a heavy equipment mechanic.
Charlie soon became involved in the suppression of wildland fires as a by-product of his work on wildland fire engines. Charlie held many positions in fire over the years, including serving as a logistics chief for Type II Incident Management Teams for over eight years. He also taught courses on wildland fire positions to new students at wildfire academies in both Colorado and New York State.
A memorial service with military honors by the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard was held Saturday afternoon at the Mountain View Community Church. In recognition of Charlie’s years of work with equipment and personnel in the wildland fire community, Poudre Fire Authority personnel were present in their dress blue uniforms with one of the department engines, along with two CSFS wildland engines.
Saturday was also the first day of the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy at which Charlie had been scheduled to teach this year. The academy suspended classes temporarily for a short memorial ceremony at 1 p.m. Mountain time – the start of the funeral – in Charlie’s honor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charles P. Rossi Memorial Fund in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colo., 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Diane Rossi; stepson, Jon Davis; son, Jason Rossi; daughters, Jessica and Jenell Rossi; four granddaughters, Melissa, Melody, Ava and Brooklynn; three sisters and two brothers.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. There are many more family members who have loved him. He was a most amazing, loving and caring husband, father and friend. He will be desperately missed.
Contact: Ryan Lockwood
E-mail: ryan.lockwood@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-8970
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