Inez Rossi

Ms. Inez T. Rossi
Naugatuck business owner


LENOX, Mass. — Inez Teresa Giancarli Rossi, 90, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at the Kimball Nursing Care Center, Lenox, Mass.

Inez was the widow of Naugatuck businessman Joseph Rossi Sr. and the daughter of the late Palma (Generalli) and Domenick Giancarli. She was born in Naugatuck on Sept. 9, 1921. She attended Groveside Elementary School, Salem School and graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1938.

During World War II, Inez served in the Navy Waves Core at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Bainbridge, Md. She married Joseph Rossi, her childhood sweetheart, in 1946. Together they owned Rossi's Shoe Store until she opened her own business Rossi's Children's Shop, "The Tot Shop." She ran that business until her retirement.

Inez was a devoted member of St. Francis of Asissi Church in Naugatuck, serving many years with the Altar Society. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Naugatuck Exchange Club, Naugatuck Arts Council, Daughters of Isabella, Council of Catholic Women, and the Christopher Columbo Society.

Inez brought joy and happiness to everyone she met. She truly enjoyed life, especially reading, music, theater and sports. She and her husband were able to travel extensively during their years together.

Inez is survived by one son, Joseph Rossi, Jr. and his wife Colleen of Pittsfield, Mass: two grandchildren, Stephen Rossi of San Francisco, Calif., and Bethany Rossi Klaassen and her husband Justin of Northborough, Mass. She is also survived by her two loving sisters, Lydia Goodson and Lorraine Mulhall of Naugatuck, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Deschino.

The funeral will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, to St. Francis of Assisi Church for a Mass at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be in St. James Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Alzheimer's Association, 1236 Ginger Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453, or the Naugatuck Visiting Nurse Association, 600 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770. Also, in her memory, we ask that you perform an act of kindness for someone you know and someone you don't know as she will always be remembered as a giving person.

For more information or to place online condolences, please log on to: www.buckmillerbrothers.com.