Benjamin Frank Rossi

November 14, 1954 - March 29, 2022

Benjamin "Ben" Frank Rossi passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Milwaukee, WI. Ben was born in Crystal Falls, MI, November 14, 1954, to Eli and Marilyn (Leanna) Rossi. Being the first grandchild of Irene 'Nona' Rossi, he had a celebrated arrival at Rossi' Bar in Amasa as it was deer season eve and the bar was one of the main gathering spots for hunters in the bustling village. It's been said that Nona woke those hunters up a little too early opening morning. Growing up in Amasa, Ben enjoyed fishing, hunting, Gibson Lake, the woods and mushroom hunting. Ben attended K-7th grade at Amasa High School and graduated from Forest Park High School, Crystal Falls, MI in 1972. Moving to Milwaukee in the mid '70s and living in the Brady Street area allowed Ben to pursue his career in the food service and sales industry, which he continued throughout his life. Ben had many different interests to include ethnic foods, always enjoying Italian Fest, photography, music, especially Milwaukee's Summerfest celebration, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Milwaukee Bucks. He was a die hard Green Bay Packers fan. He also enjoyed camping, his favorite trips being the annual Memorial Day trip in Upper Michigan and to the races at Elkhart Lake, WI. In his latter years in Milwaukee, in the same neighborhood, Ben enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: bike rides, visits to Glorioso's Italian Market and his local Church, Saint Rita's of Three Holy Women Catholic Parish. Ben truly enjoyed the neighborhood he lived in and the people he lived near. Ben is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ben and Irene Rossi and William and Sanna Leanna, his father Eli on August 14, 1999, and mother Marilyn on February 5, 2022. He is survived by a daughter, Laura Hewitt of Louisville, Kentucky; brothers and sisters, William (Donna) Rossi of Iron River, Teresa Rossi of Iron Mountain, Mary Robinson (Rob Martin) of Crystal Falls, Timothy Rossi of Third Lake Illinois, and Thomas Rossi (Heather) of Lake Zurich, Illinois; nieces and nephews, Kristine (Jason) Rivard, Jason (Jenn Collier) Rossi, Philip (Sarah) Robinson, Daniel (Diana) Bales, Andrew, Bradley and Grant Bales, Lily and Grace Rossi; step-nieces, Kelley, Kate and Allyson and their families; great-nieces, Chloe, Reagan, Delia, and Mabel; and great-nephew, Oliver; Auntie Irene Juneau of Amasa, Auntie Nancy Heimerl of Crystal Falls and Auntie Rita Leanna of Amasa; and many cousins from the Rossi and Leanna Families. Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Friday, April 8 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Crystal Falls. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Daniel Malone. Interment will take place in the Hematite Cemetery in Amasa in the spring. Born a Yooper, always a Yooper! Condolences to the family of Benjamin "Ben" Frank Rossi may be expressed online at www.ernnashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.