Fred (Ferdinand) Thomas Rosati, a former Riverside resident who was co-founder and patriarch of the Rosati’s Pizza franchise, died March 30, 2020 in Cave Creek, Arizona, at 102 years of age.
Mr. Rosati was born in Chicago on June 23, 1917 to Saverio and Anna (Mercurio) Rosati. He had nine siblings, including Josephine Pirro, Mary Ann Rosati, Joanne Czernek, William Rosati, Richard Rosati, Ronald Rosati and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by siblings Alfred Rosati, Willie Rosati, and Grace Rosati. Mr. Rosati was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1940-45. In 1946, he married Theresa and co-founded Tolona Pizza Products with family members.
In 1948, Fred and Theresa moved to Riverside to raise their seven children. A devout Catholic, Mr. Rosati was a dedicated member of St. Mary Parish.
After many years in the food supply business, the family patriarch went on to co-found Rosati’s Pizza Franchise with his brothers and children. In his free time, he enjoyed coaching Little League, and hosted many backyard ball games in the neighborhood.
Mr. Rosati had a true love for the game and will forever be one of the most devoted Chicago Cubs fans. If he wasn’t on the baseball field, you would find him at the racetrack, playing cards or in Door County, Wisconsin, fishing on the Mink River.
To Mr. Rosati, no one was a stranger and life was truly about the journey. He was fun-loving, cheerful and his impulse was always to share whatever he had. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. His presence and his love of life always brought joy, and his zest and vitality lit up every room.
He is survived by his loving family, wife Theresa Rosati (Cortina); children Regina Rosati, Stephanie Haack, Rick Rosati, Michael Rosati (Kay Rosati), Annamarie Bensfield (Joseph Bensfield), William Rosati (Joanne Rosati) and Jeffrey Rosati (Karen Rosati); grandchildren, Holly Rosati, Bryan Maas, Melanie Masino, Samuel Rosati, Robert Rosati, Sarah Cohen, Samantha Waterloo, Lizzy Bensfield, Jake Bensfield, Jimmy Rosati, Jack Rosati, Emily Rosati, Jay Rosati, and Allie Rosati; great grandchildren Alyssa Mansfield, Josh Mansfield, Wyatt Rosati, Sloan Rosati, Benjamin Waterloo and Charles Cohen; and caretaker and best buddy Lukasz Mezyk.
Due to COVID19 restrictions there will be no visitation at this time. The family will have a private graveside service for Mr. Rosati, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
