Joseph Anthony Rossi of Perry, Georgia passed away on Monday, September 28, with his cherished wife and companion on the journey, Margie, ever faithful by his side. Joe was and remains a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, mentor, educator, leader by example, and faithful servant of God and anyone he met. He will be deeply missed but lives on through the countless people he touched during his impactful and service-focused life.

Joe’s parents, the late Frank and Elena Rossi, raised Joe and his four brothers in a loving, faith-filled, Italian home in Sharpville, Pennsyvannia. Joe attended Kennedy Catholic High School where he made his family proud as straight-A student and the quarter back of the football team. He also laid eyes on Margie, astutely determined that she was beautiful inside and out, and they have been together ever since.

After attending college, Joe and Margie entered into the Sacrament of Matrimony and started their life together. Together they raised three children, Nicola, Joseph, and Natalie, in the same kind of loving, faith-filled home in which they both grew up. Joe tirelessly carried out his mission to provide a wonderful life for his family, working side-by-side with his teammate Margie to support their kids in any way that they could. His kids are eternally grateful for the life he gave them.

Joe started his career as an engineer, which led him to helping with the start-up of the Frito Lay manufacturing plant in Kathleen, Georgia. Joe eventually became plant manager, a role he assumed with a servant’s heart. As manager, Joe made it his daily mission to figure out a way to make things better for his employees. During his career with Frito Lay, Joe became a local legend—the man who was always there to help—from loading trucks to picking up trash to creating innovative new systems, many of which were adopted nationwide—Joe rolled up his sleeves and made things better. By the time Joe retired from Frito Lay in 2019, he was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Chairman’s Award. To this day, you can’t go anywhere in central Georgia without running into a Frito Lay employee who knows and thinks the world of Joe Rossi.

Even after Joe “retired” from Frito Lay, he continued his mission to make things better for manufacturing employees in central Georgia. When given the opportunity, Joe whole-heartedly accepted work as a consultant for several local businesses. A problem-solving engineer to his core, Joe enjoyed spending leisure time trouble-shooting inefficiencies and building homemade prototypes.

Of course, a standard consulting schedule barely made a dent in Joe’s energy and enthusiasm. Hence, during “retirement,” Joe pursued an additional mission—teaching at Central Georgia Technical College. From an adjunct chemistry professor to the Chair of the Engineering Department, Joe inspired hundreds of students to be the best versions of themselves. Joe’s dedication to his students was 24/7. His students knew that if they needed Professor Rossi, he was only a cell phone call away. Many students recognize Professor Rossi as the man who went above and beyond to ensure that if they wanted to work, there was a job ready for them at graduation. After his cancer diagnosis, Joe refused to stop teaching until he ensured that the next generation of engineering educators was ready, willing, and able to take care of his students. He worked training replacements during his final weeks, humbly handing over the reigns when the time came.

Despite his many career accomplishments, Joe’s priorities steadfastly remained faith and family. He seamlessly integrated that which was most important into his other life-long passions, especially football, fishing, and civic engagement. Joe never missed an opportunity to throw a football with anyone—family, neighbors, even strangers on the beach. And he often spent his fishing time in peaceful, contemplative prayer. Joe also carried his values into his civic engagements, striving for greater tranparency and integrity in the political process. People throughout the country recongize Joe as a true patriot.

Joe’s cancer diagnosis came as a shock to his friends and family. But Joe accepted it with astonishing grace. A man of deep faith, Joe knew that his passing was just a transition to his eternal life with his Creator. He set out to carry his cross as willingly and courageously as his life-long role model, Jesus. His only concern was for others, primarily his family, his three kids and beloved wife, Margie. During his last two months, Joe showed inhuman strength as he fought for precious time with his family.

Joe’s final days included treasured time with Margie and all three of his kids, meeting his first grandson, gathering with family from across the country to sing his favorite Catholic hymns, and giving his grandson a special blessing on the day of his Baptism. Once Joe felt assured that his family would be okay, he let his never-failing faith guide him peacefully into eternal life.

Joe is survived by his wife, Margaret Rossi, of Perry, Georgia; his daughter, Nicola Rossi, of Perry Georgia; his son Joseph Rossi (Melinda), of Kirkland, Washington; his daughter, Natalie Perkins (Luke), of Lakeville, Minnesota; his grandson,

Nicolas Perkins, of Lakeville, Minnesota; his brothers, John Rossi (Brenda), of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; Frank Rossi (Cathy), of Poquoson, Virginia; Martin Rossi (Rosanne), of Hollywood, Florida; and Michael Rossi (Stephanie), of New Prague, Minnesota; parents-in-law, Bernard and Margaret Uzelac, of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Bernard Uzelac (Jenny), of Mesa, Arizona; sister-in-law, Tracy Wangler (Eric), of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Robert Uzelac (Susan), of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvannia; and many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. Joe is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Elena Rossi.

A rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A commital service will follow, where Joe will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery and Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be given in memory of Joseph Anthony Rossi to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, 300 S. Davis Dr., Warner Robins, Georgia 31088.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.