Leonard J. "Lenny" deRosa

Leonard J. "Lenny" deRosa, age 90, passed away peacefully in the Tower Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Canton, Massachusetts on Monday, October 17, 2016. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 31, 1926, he was the son of the late Michael and Adeline (Parente) DeRosa. He was raised in the West End of Boston and graduated from Boston English High School, Class of 1944. After graduation, Lenny enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during World War II. He was stationed in the European Theater of Operations with the 90th Infantry Division, taking part in the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his return home, Lenny returned to Boston and joined the Boston Typographical Union, Local 13.

He married his wife, Thelma H. Dunne, on July 24, 1949 and they made their home together for a short while in Cambridge before moving to Brookline in 1950. In 1953, Lenny and Thelma settled in East Walpole, Massachusetts. Before this move Lenny took a position with the Boston Globe. While working for the Globe, he maintained his membership with the Local 13 and also joined the Franklin Typographical Society. In the late 1950s, Lenny began taking courses to earn his Bachelor's Degree at Boston University, graduating in 1960. After receiving a teacher's certificate from Suffolk University in 1967, he took a teaching position at Holbrook High School, instructing students in various business classes.

Lenny retired from Holbrook High School in 1988 and from the Globe in 1996. After his retirement from the Globe, Lenny became a snow bird, spending six months a year in Naples, Florida and the other six months in Falmouth and East Walpole, Massachusetts. Whenever he was back in Massachusetts, he would spend time working for the union, finally retiring in 2008.

He enjoyed traveling, taking memorable trips to Europe and the Caribbean. As a proud US Veteran, he was a member for life of the VFW Post in Norwood and he enjoyed attending the 90th Division reunions whenever he could.

Beloved husband of the late Thelma H. (Dunne) DeRosa.
Loving father of Peter L. de Rosa of East Walpole, Paul M. DeRosa and his wife Barbara Beech of East Walpole, and Kingston H. DeRosa and his wife Gayla of Missouri.
Devoted brother of Alice DeRosa of Boston, Nicholas DeRosa of Dennis, the late Mary DeRosa, the late Vera DeRosa, the late Ella DeRosa, the late Anthony DeRosa, and the late Michael DeRosa, Jr.
Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Lenny's visitation on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 from 8:30 - 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.