Philip (Phil) Edward Rose, age 85 of Wilmington, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
Phil was born in Brooklyn, NY, in August of 1929 and was the youngest son of the late Philip Rose and Loretta McDonald.
He played minor league baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates and also served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He then served 23 years in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) retiring as a detective. Phil then worked for Citibank for ten years as an investigator.
In 1995, Phil and his wife Ann moved to Wilmington where he started the Wilmington Senior Softball Association and was actively involved until his death. He was also the past president of the 10-13 Association for retired NYPD police officers.
Phil is survived by his loving wife Ann of 61 years, six children; Michael (Nancy), Eileen Norton (Michael), John (Lynn), Stephen (Pam), Geraldine Stevens (Michael), Maureen Schmitz (David), 14 grandchildren, one great grandchild and his brother George and sister-in-law Irene of Wilmington.
The family will receive friends Monday, April 20, 2015, from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM at the Wilmington Funeral Chapel, 1535 South 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403, 910.791.9099.
Phil was a faithful parishioner at St. Marks Roman Catholic Church at 1011 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, (910) 392-0720. A Mass of the Resurrection for him will be held there on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 11AM.
Donations may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401 or the Wilmington Senior Softball Association
Please share condolences and memories with the family by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.
Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S.41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099.
Tribute Wall