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RFH 2010, Passings

UPDATED: Paul Rose, Well Known Lacrosse Coach, Dies

Sat, Apr 03, 2010

UPDATED: Paul Rose, Well Known Lacrosse Coach, Dies

A man who influenced high school and college lacrosse players for many years died last Saturday after an extended illness.

Paul B. Rose, 65, of Hamilton St., passed away Saturday, March 27, at his home.

Mr. Rose was the founding coach of the lacrosse program at Morrisville State College in the early 1980s.He was added to the college's Wall of Fame in 2007.

His son, Brian, founded the program at HCS several years ago; his father was a volunteer assistant coach there.

Mr. Rose also was a two-sport coach for Colgate in the early 80's. He was the head coach of the men's lacrosse team from 1981-85 and the men's soccer team from 1980-84.

One of his former players is journalist and author Bob Woodruff, who graduated from Colgate in 1983.

“Until the very end of his life he would not give up,” said Woodruff. “He is an inspiration to us especially for those who fell in love with lacrosse largely because of him. Our prayers are for our coach Paul Rose and his remarkable, loving family.”

He was born in Syracuse on May 24, 1944, a son of the late Louis and Elizabeth Michel Rose. He graduated from Baker High School, Baldwinsville; SUNY Cortland; and received his master's degree from Penn State University.

On June 17, 1967, in Walden, Mr. Rose married the former Jeanne M. Pitt.

Mr. Rose retired from SUNY Morrisville as dean of enrollment and also coached throughout his career at SUNY Morrisville, Clarkson, Geneseo and Colgate universities. He was a member of Park United Methodist, Hamilton, and F&AM Lodge #214 of Geneseo.

Surviving are his wife Jeanne; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Margaret Rose of Hamilton and Christopher and Cathy Rose of Pittsburgh, PA; four grandchildren, Skye, Griffin, Alexis and Owen Rose; a sister and brother-in-law, Luella and Arthur Ward of Baldwinsville; a brother, Leonard Rose of Syracuse; his mother-in-law, Marie Pitt-DelCotto of Hamilton; a sister-in-law, Roberta Rose of CA; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Frederick and Louis Rose.

Funeral services were earlier this week from Park United Methodist Church, Broad St. Interment followed in Woodlawn Cemetery.

In memory of Mr. Rose, a scholarship fund is being established at Baker High School, Baldwinsville, c/o Jeanne Rose, 8 Hamilton St., Hamilton, NY 13346.

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