“The true measure of a man is in the lives he touches, the love he gives to others, his kind words, and the way he listens with a humble ear. This was our dad,” wrote Edwin Rosa’s children in a tribute.

“As I write about our dad, I can’t begin to count the lives he has touched throughout his 88 years,” the tribute continues. “Dad loved to make people laugh. He enjoyed a beer (or two), computers, cameras, and anything electronic, and oh, did he love our mom and his family! We also recently discovered that he was quite the writer of poetry!

“Dad left an impact on everyone he met. ‘A wonderful man,’ ‘a true friend,’ ‘always offering to help,’ are just some of the thoughts from people that I have talked to since Dad’s passing.

“Dad taught all of us to love, and I believe he has left an impact on everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. We hope that the love our dad spread while he was here on Earth with us continues to grow, and we can all be a little more like him.

“We would like to leave you with a poem from Dad’s collection:
 

If I had my life to live over,

I’d ask for but one change,

To have met you sooner,

So as to have loved you longer.
 

Edwin “Ed” Rosa died peacefully on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Englewood, Florida.

Mr. Rosa served in the Army from 1950 to 1956.

He was a life member of the Guilderland Center Fire Department, joining in 1963, holding the titles of commissioner, captain of the fire police, and president.

He was a member of the Helderberg Reformed Church; the Altamont Masonic Lodge 553; the Fraternal Order of the Eagles 3885 in Englewood, Florida; the Moose Lodge in Englewood, Florida; and the Shriners and the Masonic Lodge 360 in Englewood, Florida.

He leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Susan “Sue” Rosa; his children, Suzanne Spiak and her husband, Dave, Tracy Durand, Todd Rosa and his wife, Noelle; his grandchildren, Cristen Lare and her husband, Josh, David Spiak and his wife, Sarah, Stephanie Meikle and her husband, Jordan, Eric Durand, Andrew Rosa, Alex Rosa, Stephanie VanAlstyne  and Victoria VanAlstyne; and his great-grandchildren, Addison and Cooper Lare, Brooke Spiak, Lillian Stow-Rosa, and Jonah Tocco.

Memorial contributions may be made to two of his favorite organizations: St. Baldrick’s Foundation, 1333 South Mayflower Ave., Suite 400 Monrovia, CA 91016 or to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.