Joe Rozenski's Obituary
Joe Rozenski, a lifelong resident of Fife, passed away on March 9, 2009. Joe was born in Fife to Gus and Mary Rozenski on April 24, 1914. Joe was the eldest of three siblings. The family owned a farm located in what is now the heart of Fife. Joe attended Fife schools, graduating Salutatorian English. His distinction as Salutatorian was an early indicator of the standards Joe set for himself and expected of others.
Following high school, Joe spent several years in the Civilian Conservation Corps (the CCCs), which was a familiar term to our country at the time and a fond memory for Joe. Joe always felt the hard work on the farm and the CCCs prepared him for his fifty year career as a conductor for the Milwaukee Railroad. Like many of his generation, Joe lived through the Great Depression and never forgot the lessons he learned: thrift, hard work, and self reliance. These traits were admired by others who asked for his leadership as President of the Local Brotherhood of Trainmen for twenty five years, a long time member of the Fife City Council and ultimately as the Mayor of Fife.
In 1941, Joe married Elenora Larson. They built a home together in the Fife and were married for 60 years before she preceded him in death. The were blessed with one child, Janell. In addition to his wife, Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill, his sister Helen and her husband Arthur Brown, and his nephew William Salamone. He is survived by his daughter Janell and son-in-law Dan Orrr of Richland, Washington, three grandchildren Rob Keating of Boulder, Colorado, Deric Orr of Seattle, and Lindsay Gray and her husband Mark and their son, Joe's great-grandchild, Jacob Daniel Gray, of Richland, his niece and nephews Arlene, John and Michale Salamone of Fife, dear friend Marion Dacca and good friends Werner and Manfred Scharmach.
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