Arnold V. Rosario Sr

WINDHAM - Arnold V. Rosario Sr., 81, known as "Rosie" by all who loved him, of Smith Road, died Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with his loving family by his side. Arnold was born in Portland, Maine on October 30, 1932, the son of Francis E. and Bernice G. Drew Rosario. He attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1950. During his high school years, Arnold was a member of the Art Club and the PHS Swim Team which won the Eastern Interscholastic Championship in 1949-50. He was inducted along with his teammates into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. After high school, he enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps. On November 27, 1953 he married Constance J. Rourke at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Arnold worked for the United States Postal Service for 34 years, serving as a letter carrier in Portland for many years. Arnold retired as Postmaster in Freeport in 1992, a position for which he was very proud for having continued the legacy of his "Uncle Viv" Drew. To Arnold, the Postal Service was more than a career and he often spoke of his affection for his colleagues and customers gained throughout the years. In his spare time, Arnold, was very active in his community serving for many years with the Portland High School Boosters Club along with umpiring for baseball and attending many sporting events. He worked closely with the Portland Boys Girls Club a relationship that began as a child and would continue throughout his life. In 1985, The Portland Boys Club Alumni Association named him Man of the Year for his years of dedicated service. He enjoyed swimming into his adult years, snow skiing, playing cards with his best friends, gardening and going to the local dances with his wife. He loved music (especially Big Band), reading up on history, and eating anything containing chocolate. His greatest love was the time he spent surrounded by his family and friends especially hosting pool parties at the family home. To his six children, he was a loving and doting father and we are grateful for his ability to always find time to play a game or go for a swim with us as young children and provide the guidance and support we needed as adults. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren who knew him as their "grampy" or "papa". To all of us, he was loved for his willingness to do anything he could to help his friends and family. He was the most happy when hosting family and friends at home teaching generations of children to swim in his pool on Falmouth St. Wherever he was, his joy, love and sense of humor were felt. One of Rosie's grandchildren eloquently said, "Most angels fly, but my papa will swim". Arnold was predeceased by two sisters Erlene Hjort and Ruth Trufant and a brother Norman Rosario. He is survived by his wife Connie Rosario of Windham, two daughters Karen Rosario of Westbrook, Dianne Rosario of Arlington, VA; four sons Arnold Jr. and his wife Tamara Rosario of Windham, Joseph and his wife Donna Rosario of Raymond, NH, James and his wife Teresa Rosario of Westbrook, Michael and his wife Gretchen Rosario of Standish; one sister Linda Nichols of South Portland; sixteen grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. The family is grateful for the love and support of his friends and neighbors in Dunedin, FL. They would also like to thank the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their kindness and support in the recent days. The family has been comforted by stories involving our Rosie and would like to invite those with stories to include them in your condolences or send them via email to Dianne.j.rosario@gmail.com. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 11, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. A funeral service will be held at the Conroy-Tully chapel on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 10:00am. Burial will be private in Calvary Cemetery. Those who wish may make contributions in Arnold's memory to: Boys Girls Club of Greater Portland, PO Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112 or Portland High School Boosters Club, 284 Cumberland Ave., Portland, ME 04101.Online condolences may be expressed below.