Obituary of Dr. Paul W. Rossey

Dr. Paul William Rossey of Tinton Falls, NJ passed away on March 20, 2018. He was born in Richmond, Indiana on July 7, 1926, the son of Dr. Chris C. Rossey and Mrs. Lela Longman Rossey. He was educated in the public schools of Summit, Elizabeth and Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey and received the Bachelor of Science degree from the New Jersey City University. He holds the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Education degrees from the Division of Advanced Studies at New York University. During graduate study he was the recipient of a Kellogg Foundation Grant for doctoral research through the Cooperative Program in Educational Administration. His professional experiences included assignments as a teacher and principal in New York State and as a Superintendent of Schools in Litchfield, Connecticut, in Scotch Plains-Fanwood, New Jersey, as President of West Chester University in Pennsylvania and as Superintendent of Schools in Milburn-Short Hills, New Jersey. He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa, national honor societies in education, Honorary Life Member of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, and held membership in the American Association of School Administrators, the American Education Research Association, the American Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development as well as state and local teachers groups. He was at one time a member of the House of Delegates of the New York State Teachers Association, and a member of the State Committee of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. Active on numerous committees and commissions for the study of public education, Rossey testified before the United States Congress on matters of national financial interest and educational management. He was the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Representative to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and a member of the American Council of Education. He was Past President of the New York University Education Alumni Association and Past President of the New Jersey City University Alumni Association. He was Vice President of the New York University Alumni Federation. In 1958 Rossey was named a University Honors Scholar by New York University and was the recipient of the New York University Alumni Meritorious Medallion, that institution’s highest award, at its 1966 Commencement. New Jersey City University named him the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 1962. Dr. Rossey was a frequent speaker at public and professional events, addressing many state and national meetings. His specializations were in the areas of school system leadership and university administration. For a period of years he taught graduate classes and conducted doctoral seminars at New York University and was a guest lecturer at other graduate institutions. One time an executive pilot for a large industrial firm, he flew his own private airplanes for travel and relaxation. Rossey was the church chairman of the Pilgrim Congregational Church and a member of the Board of Directors of the Curry Foundation. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, the Y.M.C.A., the Boy Scouts of America, the Garbe Foundation, and the Community Fund. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Navy League of the United States and was on the Aerospace Commission. He was the Chairman of the New Jersey State Police Scholarship Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Council of Education. Listed in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA and WHO’S WHO IN THE WORLD, Rossey was a member of the Board of Trustees of New York University and was selected as the 1970 recipient of the Ernest O. Melby Award from N.Y.U. for outstanding accomplishment in the field of Human Relations. He was emeritus member of the Board of trustees of The Peddie School and was the National President of The Horace Mann League of the United States of America. In May of 1971, Dr. Rossey was granted the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from his alma mater, New Jersey City University at which time he dedicated Rossey Hall to the memory of his late father. In 1987 Rossey received the Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and was named Superintendent of the Year. During World War II he served as a Seaman First Class in the United States Navy Submarine Service in the Pacific and the Far East. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps in 1986. At his retirement he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his work in the Marine Corps educational program. His greatest pride was in his family history. He was the eldest generation of five generations in his immediate family and he spoke of this constantly. Dr. Paul Rossey was predeceased by his loving wife, Adelaide Finnegan Rossey, daughter Joanne Rossey Sczubelek and her husband Jerome Sczubelek. He is survived by two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. At Dr. Rossey’s request burial will be private at Restland Memorial Park in East Hanover, NJ. Arrangements will be conducted by The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home in Maplewood, New Jersey.