James Rossa Jr.

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish.  Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved James Richard Rossa, Jr. (Jim), age 62, who was born on May 12, 1960, to James R. Rossa, Sr. and Sharron D. (Kline) Rossa in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  He died December 11,2022 surrounded by his loving wife by his side, at their home, battling three years with a rare aggressive skin cancer.  He grew up on Kenosha, Wisconsin and graduated from Bradford High School in 1978.  He loved riding his motorcycle, singing, writing and listening to music, and collecting THREE STOOGES memorabilia.  He was also a diehard Chicago Cub Fan and Green Bay Packer Fan.

He sang and played in bands and wrote many songs and poems.  His favorite songs were his parades, which he enjoyed sharing with others.  One of his original songs was recorded and received airplay on the local radio station.   He was very athletic and participated in many sports, he even received his varsity “letter” in Football as a Junior on his high school team.

Immediately following high school, he serviced our country for the next 9 years by becoming a member of the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

May 31, 1979, he married Joan C. Ostrowski in Fairfield, CA, after 10 years they divorce, they have two children together, a son and daughter.  At age twenty-seven he survived a horrific motorcycle accident that almost left him dead. After he healed, he continued to ride motorcycles (which he loved) until he was no longer able due to becoming legally blind at age 47.  Over the years his employment included Security, Veal Slaughterhouse, and Demolition Crew.  His best employment was a Youth Counselor for the State of Wisconsin’s department of Corrections juvenile facility from were he retired.  He was forced into after becoming disabled. 

He loved to travel and was proud to have achieved his goal to visit all 50 states.

In October of 2013, he meets and falls in love with Cindy L. Dutkievic of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.  Together they traveled on cruise ships and visited many cities and countries including Paris, Francis.  They bought a beautiful home in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

November 5, 2018, they were married on a cruise ship on Gatun Lake in the Country of Panama.  They continued to travel and enjoyed spending time together while living in Arkansas.

In January of 2020, he was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (an aggressive cancer) that he battles with until the Lord called his angel home.

He was preceded in death by his father, James, Sr., father-in-law, John Dutkievic, Jr., aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents and his long-time best friend, Richard Florence.

Left to cherish his wonderful memories here on earth, his loving and caring wife, Cindy L. Rossa of Hot Springs; son, James R. Rossa, III, of Chandler, Arizona; daughter, Jenifer J. Strube (Dwayne) of Palestine, Texas; stepdaughter, Amy S. Morris (Tim) of Milton, Wisconsin; stepson, Thomas P. VanBuren (Jessie) of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; 11 grandchildren, Violet, Lawrence, Diane, Ava, Aydrian, Anderson, Elsie, Ozias, Jay, Cade and Ensley; sister, Suzanne R. Goetti (James) of Buckeye, Arizona; his mother, Sharron D. Rossa of Mountain Home, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Pamela A. Beek (Curt) of Waupun, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Patricia L. Doerflinger (Tad) of Birchwood, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Beth I Large (Derek) of Waupun, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Judith A. Dutkievic of Waupun, Wisconsin; and nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, in the Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel, 2205 Airport Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913.  Then there will be a Memorial Service held at 11:00 AM, January 10, 2023, at the Fireside Restaurant and Lounge, 2801 30^th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin,  53144.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.