Richard G. Rossi

Dr. Richard G. Rossi, 94, of Plainville, MA, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. He was the devoted husband of Elena N. (Valdez) Rossi for fifty-eight years; father of Michele McElwrath and her husband, Michael; Kim Stagliano and her husband, Mark; and Richard Rossi and his husband, Ed Wood. He was the adoring grandfather of Colin, Sean and Mac McElwrath; and Mia, Gianna and Isabella Stagliano. Born on August 4, 1922 in Chelsea, MA, he was the son of the late Augustus J. Rossi and the late Anna V. (Sullivan) Rossi.He honorably served our country in the United States Navy and was a graduate of Chelsea High School, Tufts University, and Tufts Dental School. Dr. Rossi practiced dentistry in Chelsea, MA with his brother, Dr. Edward Rossi. In 1959, he earned his degree in orthodontics, and moved his wife and first child to Attleboro in the large red home at the corner of Peck and Pleasant Street (now the Social Security office.) He practiced orthodontics from 1961 - 1994, not just straightening teeth, but giving thousands of patients the confidence of a beautiful, healthy smile. A generous man who believed in giving back, Dr. Rossi taught one day every week at Tufts Dental School in Boston. Many was the time he treated a patient at reduced or even no cost after a divorce, when a father lost his job, or the family faced other challenges. He was an avid golfer and member of Highland Country Club, President of the Attleboro Kiwanis Club, and Treasurer of the Sturdy Hospital dental staff. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend a Burial Service with military honors on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.In lieu of flowers, Dr. Rossi's family has requested that donations be made in his memory to the non-profit organization Autism Age, run by his daughter Kim, to honor his three autistic granddaughters whom he adored, at www.ageofautism.com/donate or P.O. Box 11546, Trumbull CT 06611.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200