Roger Dean

Rossi

Roger Dean Rossi, a man larger than life, was born February 16, 1946, to parents Frank and Lorraine Rossi. He grew up on the family’s farm in Welby, Colorado, alongside his parents and four siblings, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins whose properties stretched across land their grandfather Biase Rossi had bought after arriving from Italy in the early 1900s. The family raised vegetables and ran a trout farm operation fed by artesian wells, supplying businesses like the Brown Palace Hotel.

Roger graduated from Adams City High School in Commerce City in 1964, where he stood out as a multi-sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and football, and served as Head Boy. He went on to Rangely Junior College, playing both football and baseball and served as the President of the Pep Club. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a catcher and considered a Major League prospect, he chose to stay close to home when his mother became ill.

He later attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, focusing on football while studying the sciences with an eye toward dentistry. There he met Fern, the love of his life. Their epic romance began with a simple ceremony before a justice of the peace at Durango City Hall and grew into more than five decades as loving spouses, parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

In 1969 Roger, Fern, and their boys Brett and Steve moved to Denver (Susan arrived soon after). They settled first on the west side of town, and then in the Lakewood house that became home to countless family gatherings and friends. In 1972 he launched Roger Rossi Construction. He built homes, remodeled Village Inns across Wyoming and Colorado, and created designs large and small. A true jack of all trades, he could fix anything and always had the exact tool—or three—for the job. His meticulous work stood the test of time, none more cherished than his own family room addition that filled for every holiday, Broncos game, and Sunday dinner.

Always a teacher and a coach, Roger shared his experience and expertise, helping people of every kind, especially those just starting out in construction, or those wanting to learn the art of flyfishing (and there were many). He coached dozens of baseball, softball, and basketball teams, passing along his knowledge and touching the lives of countless individuals who still call him Coach Rossi as adults.

Family sat at the center of everything for Roger. He was happiest when the house was full of the people he loved. He and Fern cooked endless meals, creating a place where no one stayed a stranger and everyone left full. His famous sauce anchored celebrations for decades, from weddings to Christmases. With a smile or a joke, he made each person feel like the most important one in the room. He loved his children and grandchildren (and greats) with his whole heart and was at his best when they were near. Fern remained the steady center of his world. His love for her was as big as his giant hands, but it was the small ways he cared for her like grocery shopping and bringing her coffee every morning that mattered most to him.

Roger is survived by his wife Fern; their children Brett (Lisa), Steve (Jennifer), and Susan (Lando); seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his sister Kay (Richard) Ito and brother Bill Joe; and a wide circle of family and friends who loved and adored him. He was preceded in death by his brothers Ronnie and Ray (Anita).

He leaves behind a life measured in the meals shared, the rooms he built, the laughter he sparked, and the people who always knew they mattered to him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your cause of choice, or Abode Hospice, in Roger’s name.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2027, starting at 10:00am at St. John Francis Regis Chapel at Regis University.