4-7-2011 - BACC Annual Dinner 2011, Pennhills
Club, Bradford, Pa. |
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In the
category of the Community and Spirit Award, the
2011 recipient is Ralph A. Rose.
The
Community & Spirit Award is given to an individual
or organization that has made a significant,
positive impact in the Bradford area & its
economic well-being through volunteer, civic,
religious, cultural and/or business activities.
Ralph Augustus Rose is a
Bradford native & is owner of Wright Monumental
Works, Inc. with
his wife Judy. He was born April
20, 1933, & graduated from Bradford Area High
School in 1952. After high school Ralph went to
Kimball Union Academy in Meridan, New Hampshire &
upon graduating was called into service in the US
Army. He spent two years at Fort Campbell,
Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division, 3rd
Army Medical Corp.
He married his
high school sweetheart Judy Oliver on August 28,
1954. They have four daughters, Kimberly Rose
Lundsten, Kathie Rose Wentworth, Kelly Rose Platko
& Kara Rose Henke.
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After returning
from government service, Ralph decided that he
wanted to be part of the family business & worked
with his father Philip M. Rose and Family. Wright
Monumental Works was established in 1915 & this
year is 96 years old. On January 1, 1987, Ralph &
his wife Judy purchased ownership of the company.
Ralph has completed work for many families in the
Bradford & surrounding areas & as far away as New
Jersey, New York City, Pittsburgh, New England &
beyond, helping people through a very difficult
time in their lives.
In addition to
the memorial business, Ralph & his family have
left foot prints all over town with recognition
memorials such as the beautiful black granite
flame & bench in front of the Zippo-Case Visitors
Center which honors George Blaisdell Duke & his
mother Sarah Blaisdell Dorn. The Norwegian blue
pearl architectural entrance signs & the
sculptured bronze Piper Cub Airplane recognition
site memorial at the University of Pittsburgh &
the Harriet Wick Chapel benches are a source of
great pride. Also the many benches and plaques on
the walking trails at Pitt, Marilla Reservoir,
Fretz Middle School, St. Bernard School & churches
throughout the area. Bradford Regional Medical
Center & the Bradford Hospital Foundation are
large recognition projects still in progress.
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Ralph’s other
business interest & ventures include The Roseart
Company which was also founded by his father
Philip M. Rose in 1957. The company is now 54
years old. The Roseart Company set out to create
marble and wood gifts of “Lifetime Elegance”. The
incorporation of the famous Zippo Windproof
lighter into his table lighter base was a perfect
fit.
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In 2000,
Ralph, his wife Judy, daughter Kelly & son-in-law
Mark Platko purchased the company & now Roseart
through Kelly & Mark will find its own place in
Bradford history.
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One of Ralph’s
proudest memories was in October 1982 when he was
honored with adoption into the Heron Clan as a new
honorary member of the Seneca Nation of Indians by
George Heron former President of the Seneca
Nation. He had been given an official Seneca name
which translates into “Memory Keeper”.
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Ralph has
also been active with several libraries in the
area & takes pride in having served as President
of the Friends of the Carnegie Public Library.
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Additionally, for over 56 years he has been
involved with care of the historic Oak Hill
Cemetery. In 2008 the cemetery elected a new Board
of Directors & Ralph serves on that board.
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In
Ellicottville, New York, Ralph served as President
of the Crowley Creek Development Corporation & for
26 years he & his hard working wife Judy owned &
operated the Discovery Antique Shop which was
another wonderful part of their lives.
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Judy
& Ralph
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Kelly, Kimberly, Judy & Ralph, Kara, Kathie
Ralph, Judy, Kelly & Mark at the Roseart
Lighter Show in 2011
Ralph & Judy at the Case Collectors Reunion in
2010
Mark, Kelly, Judy & Ralph in 2007 celebrating
the 50th anniversary of Roseart
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