Obituary: Santa Rosa, Edward

SANTA ROSA, Edward

Edward Francis Santa Rosa passed away June 29th at his home in Spokane, after a tough battle with cancer.

He was 73.

Ed loved Spokane - the beautiful scenery, the out- door activities, the warm summers.

But he loved his family even more, holding court at family gatherings always ready with an opinion on cars, baseball and world events.

He adored his three grandchildren, Taylor, Katie and Cole, “Che facci,” (Loosely translated, what’s going on?)

he would ask in Italian when they came to visit.

Ed was born March 22, 1939 in Spirit Lake, Idaho, but lived nearly his entire life in Spokane.

He was especially proud of his Italian heritage and his immigrant parents.

Ed graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1957.

While in high school, he played left field on the school’s baseball team.

Ed carried a love of baseball throughout his life.

He played and coached on slow pitch men’s softball teams for many years, coached his son’s baseball team at St. Thomas More and was a fan of the New York Yankees and then later of the Seattle Mariners.

After graduation, he worked at Pepsi and then at Continental Baking Company where he was a route salesman for 33 years.

He married Bette Talarico of Spokane in 1960.

They had three children, Tracey, Julie and Scott.

He was an active member of St. Thomas More.

Later in life, Ed enjoyed visiting family in Seattle and California and playing golf with friends.

When his daughter Tracey was married in 1990, the family held a golf tournament in his honor called “The Big Ed Open.”

When he retired, Ed fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling to Italy and reconnecting with his relatives.

More recently, he took his immediate family on a cruise to Alaska.

Ed was a devoted husband and father and a great friend.

He loved to entertain and enjoyed having a house full of guests.

His spirit and smile will be with us forever.

His son, Scott and parents Frank and Anne precede Ed in death.

He is survived by his wife, Bette; brother, Arthur of Spokane; daughters, Tracey (Steve) Kipp of Seattle and Julie (Todd) Chapin of Newport Beach, Calif.; and, grandchildren, Katie Kipp of Seattle and Taylor and Cole Chapin of Newport Beach as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Rosary will begin at 10:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am with a reception to follow on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 505 W. St. Thomas More Way.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ed’s name, to the Ronald McDonald House 1015 W. 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204 or to The Make a Wish Foundation 104 S. Freya Street, Suite 311A Green Flag Building, Spokane, WA 99202.

Please visit Ed’s memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com