New Jersey EMS Veteran Passes Away At Work; Mourned With ‘Final Call’ (LISTEN)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When New Jersey EMS veteran Michael Rossi Jr. passed away, it was on-duty.

On Friday, members of the Nutley Volunteer Emergency and Rescue Squad returned to their headquarters to find Rossi – a 27-year veteran with the squad – unresponsive in his office, authorities said.

His colleagues weren’t able to revive him, and Rossi was pronounced dead at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville.

Dozens of his former colleagues gathered for a touching ceremony on Tuesday, during which they gave a radio “final call” in his memory.

“This is the final call for Nutley EMS coordinator, Chief Michael J. Rossi Jr. Chief Rossi passed from this life at just 52 years of age while performing his duties at squad headquarters on Friday, May 19, 2017. Chief Rossi gave of himself, selflessly, for over 27 years in every way, serving the residents of Nutley and Nutley itself, and leading members of the Nutley Volunteer Emergency and Rescue Squad. The men and women of Nutley Rescue are grateful and proud to have served with Chief Rossi. Chief, your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace knowing that your strength lives on in your wife, Marianne. Your legacy will be carried forward by your fellow members, and your honor will be continued forever within all of us.”

According to Rossi’s obituary from S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home:

“Michael J. Rossi, Jr., of Union, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2017. Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, he lived in Nutley prior to moving to Union 16 years ago.

“He was the EMS Coordinator for the Nutley Emergency Rescue Squad and a member of the squad since he was a teenager. He received the Unit Citation Bar from the Rescue Squad and was the recipient of the Nutley Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in the field of public safety in 2011.

“Michael was a Pace University Graduate and a member of the DEKE Fraternity. He was an avid NY Giants and NY Rangers fan.

“His is survived by his loving wife, Marianne (Grasso) Rossi and his father, Michael J. Rossi, Sr. He was predeceased by his mother, the late Angela (Galeotafiore) Rossi and his brother, the late Robert A. Rossi, M.D. He is also survived by his sister, Maria Donadia Rossi and her children, Lacey, Anthony John “AJ” & Nicholas and his devoted K-9 companion, Beauty.

“In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Nutley Emergency & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 172 Nutley, NJ 07110 would be preferred.”

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Flickr Commons